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Shohei Ohtani has done it again.

Ohtani on Thursday night captured his second straight National League MVP award—his third straight MVP award overall and fourth in his career—vaulting the Dodgers two-way star into some truly elite company while capping off yet another magical season that saw Los Angeles capture its second straight World Series title.

Ohtani was the unanimous choice for the 2025 NL MVP, earning all 30 first-place votes on the ballots voted on by the BBWAA. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber finished second with 260 points in the voting, and Mets outfielder Juan Soto finished third with 231 points.

Ohtani has won the MVP via a unanimous vote all four times he has earned the award in 2021, ‘23, ‘24 and ‘25.

Ohtani was his usual dominant self at the plate, posting an NL-leading 1.014 OPS while excelling in his return to the pitching mound after undergoing elbow surgery in 2023.

Ohtani makes history in plethora of ways by winning 2025 NL MVP award

Stop me if you've heard this one before: Shohei Ohtani has made MLB history by winning the NL MVP award. Just last year, Ohtani took home MVP honors in the NL and etched his way into the history books by becoming just the second player all-time (along with Frank Robinson) to win the MVP award in both the American and National Leagues. This year, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to win multiple MVP awards in each league.

Here are a few other notable ways Ohtani made history by securing the 2025 NL MVP:

Ohtani is the first Dodgers player to win back-to-back MVP Awards

Ten different players have won 13 MVP awards for the Dodgers. But no player, until Ohtani in 2025, had captured consecutive MVP awards. Ohtani also joins Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella as the only players in franchise history to win multiple MVP awards.

Equaling Barry Bonds in more ways than one

By winning the 2025 NL MVP, Ohtani became just the second player to win four MVP awards in a career, joining Barry Bonds, who won seven in his decorated—and pilloried—career. He also joined Bonds as the only players to win three straight MVP awards. Bonds accomplished the feat when he took home four straight MVP awards from 2001 to ’04. Pretty, pretty good.

Combining regular season and postseason excellence

Ohtani is the first player since 2010—Josh Hamilton—to win a LCS or World Series MVP and a regular season MVP in the same season, a feat that has been accomplished by just seven players.

Ohtani‘s MVP award comes on the heels of legendary postseason

After a bit of a quiet postseason for the Dodgers‘s in '24, Ohtani was a menace in '25, belting eight home runs and posting a 1.096 OPS while recording a 2–1 record as well as a 4.43 ERA (2.84 FIP) with 28 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings pitched.

During the Dodgers‘ repeat title run, Ohtani authored one of the greatest performances in sports history—it's difficult to think of one that tops it—by smashing three home runs and pitching six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts to power the Dodgers to victory over the Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS and secure LCS MVP honors.

Ohtani then left his mark on a Dodgers‘ marathon victory in 18 innings in Game 3 of the World Series against the Blue Jays, belting a pair of home runs while reaching base an unimaginable nine times (a postseason record) thanks to five walks.

With yet another MVP award added to his trophy case, Ohtani continues to scale the mountain of MLB greatness.

It was the last day of matches for Group B, C and D with nine of the 12 Super Six spots confirmed

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2025Legspinner Anisa Akter Soba picked up 4 for 25 as Bangladesh beat Scotland by 17 runs in Bangi to become the second team after Australia to reach Super Six from Group D. Scotland also confirmed their spot after Australia beat Nepal later in the day.After being sent in, Bangladesh found themselves on 50 for 5 after ten overs. Afia Ashima and captain Sumaiya Akter then added 38 in 33 balls to give the innings some stability. Ashima fell for 21 but Sumaiya stayed unbeaten till the end, scoring 28 off 36 balls to take the side to 120 for 9.In response, Scotland were 19 for no loss in four overs before Soba bowled Emma Walsingham for 11. In the same over, Pippa Kelly was run-out. Wicketkeeper Pippa Sproul and captain Niamh Muir put the chase back on track by adding 50 in 60 balls, but after Muir fell for 22, none of the incoming batters could cross even 5.Sproul tried to keep Scotland in the contest with her 43 off 41. But Soba ended her resistance and then went on to take two more wickets as Scotland could manage only 103 for 8.New Zealand bowled out Samoa for 40•ICC/Getty Images

After defeats to South Africa and Nigeria, New Zealand secured a spot in the Super Six stage with a drubbing of Samoa in Kuching.In a rain-affected 17-over game, New Zealand were in trouble with the bat at 12 for 3. But Eve Wolland and Anika Todd added 55 for the fourth wicket to steady the ship.After Todd fell for a 19-ball 27, it was on Wolland to hold New Zealand’s innings together. She hit two fours and two sixes before she fell for 48 off 43 in the final over, helping New Zealand get to 107 for 9. For Samoa, seamer Olive Lefaga took three wickets and Verra Farane took two.The total proved to be more than enough, as New Zealand skittled Samoa out for just 40, with no batter reaching the double digits. Rishika Jaswal and Tash Wakelin claimed three wickets each while Sophie Court picked up two.Davina Perrin smashed 74 off 45 balls•ICC/Getty Images

Davina Perrin’s 45-ball 74 helped England beat USA in a top-of-the-table clash in Group B.Sent in, USA mustered 119 for 5 from their 20 overs, with captain Anika Kolan top-scoring with an unbeaten 46 off 42. Prisha Thanawala and Trudy Johnson struck twice each for England.England didn’t get off to the best of starts, with opener Erin Thomas out for a golden duck off the second ball of the chase. But, it was one-way traffic thereon with Perrin and Johnson putting on a 117-run stand that took them two runs short of the target. England captain Abi Norgrove had to just hit the winning run off the first ball she faced, with Johnson finishing unbeaten on 44.Both England and USA have qualified for the Super Six stage.Caoimhe Bray hits over off in her 34-ball 45 as Nepal wicketkeeper Alisha Yadav looks on•Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Caoimhe Bray led Australia‘s strong showing with the bat as they knocked out Nepal, paving Scotland’s way into the Super Six. She hit 45 off just 34 batting at No. 4 before cameos from Hasrat Gill (21-ball 30 not out) and Chloe Ainsworth (16 not out off just 9) helped Australia to 139 for 6.Nepal captain Puja Mahato picked up three wickets for 31 runs but her team could not pose a challenge with the bat. Mahato’s 18 off 42 balls was the most by a Nepal batter on the day, and the only one in double digits as they crawled to 56 for 8 in their 20 overs. All of Gill, Juliette Morton and Lily Bassingthwaighte returned two wickets apiece.Ireland celebrate after knocking out Pakistan•ICC/Getty Images

Over in Johor, a strong all-round show from Ireland helped them eke out a 13-run win in a rain-affected contest to knock Pakistan out of the competition. In a match reduced to nine overs per side, Alice Walsh’s attacking innings at the top set the tone for Ireland, who made 69 for 5 in their allotted overs. Walsh scored 31 off just 19 with five fours.Set a revised DLS target of 73 in nine overs, Pakistan struggled for rhythm and were kept to 59 for 7 with Ellie McGee picking up two wickets while Freya Sargent and Lara McBride returned one each. Pakistan’s innings also featured three run-outs, including that of captain Komal Khan.South Africa, led by Seshnie Naidu and wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, celebrate a Nigerian wicket•ICC/Getty Images

In Kuching, South Africa registered a comfortable win over first-time World-Cuppers Nigeria in another rain-hit contest. Asked to bat first, South Africa could only score 49 for 2 in their eight overs; their opening partnership was worth 41 off 43 balls. Captain Lucky Piety was the only wicket-taker for Nigeria, picking up two wickets in two balls.Nigeria could only manage 24 for 8 in their 66-run chase with none of the batters crossing Piety’s six. Legspinner Seshnie Naidu returned two wickets for one run in her single over while captain Kayla Reyneke also picked up two wickets in her two overs for South Africa. Wicketkeeper Karabo Meso also put up a show as she effected three dismissals.Thanks to their win over New Zealand earlier in the competition, though, Nigeria also ensured qualification for Super Six.

Test captain’s wife and family were home during theft of ‘irreplaceable’ memorabilia

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2024

Ben Stokes was captaining England in the second Test when the break-in happened•PA Images via Getty Images

A 32-year-old man has been arrested following a burglary at the house of England Test captain Ben Stokes.The incident took place on October 17 at Stokes’ house in Castle Eden in the North East, with his wife, Claire, and two children, Layton and Libby, present in the house at the time. Stokes said his family did not come to “any physical harm” but stated the trauma “had an impact on their emotional and mental state”.In a social media post on Wednesday, Stokes pleaded for the return of a number of “irreplaceable” items after a masked gang broke into his home while he was in Pakistan for the recently completed Test series. The 33-year-old was playing in the second Test in Multan at the time, and only returned home earlier this week following the conclusion of the three-match series, which England lost 2-1.Durham Police said a 32-year-old man from North Yorkshire was arrested overnight on suspicion of burglary. He has been released on bail while the investigation continues.Of the items taken, which includes jewellery and a designer bag, was the medal awarded to Stokes for his OBE, received in 2020 for services to cricket following a 2019 summer in which he was integral to England’s ODI World Cup success, starring in the final, before putting in a miraculous performance to help them win the Headingley Test against Australia in the Ashes.

Arsenal’s transfer plans include the potential signing of a Premier League star before summer deadline day on September 1, with sporting director Andrea Berta identifying one Aston Villa star as a key long-term target.

Mikel Arteta is gearing up for what will be a vital 2025/2026 season.

Arsenal told key Benjamin Sesko transfer condition as agent makes statement

He’s expressed what it will take for the Slovenian to leave Leipzig this summer.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 19, 2025

The Spaniard, discounting Community Shields, has been pursuing his second piece of major silverware since their 2020 FA Cup triumph at Wembley, even though Arsenal have backed him to the hilt with a net-spend of around £487 million in that period.

The pressure is well and truly on Arteta to deliver glory after many years building the project, even if they have come mightily close to ending their two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title on a couple of occasions.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Man City’s imperiousness is largely to blame for Arsenal’s lack of title celebrations over the last three years, with injuries to key players and a lack of cutting edge resulting in Arteta surrendering the crown to Liverpool last campaign.

The north Londoners will need to back their manager again with new signings over the coming months, if they hope to close the large gap between them and Arne Slot’s champions.

According to various reports, Arsenal are attempting to sign a new striker, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres both at the top of their wishlist (BBC).

Bukayo Saka’s long injury lay-off midway through 2024/2025 hamstrung Arteta’s chances of ever catching Liverpool, while Leandro Trossard is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract, so Arsenal remain in the market for a winger too.

A few interesting names have been linked in the last few weeks, including Real Madrid star Rodrygo, Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, but the latter is closing on on a move to Barcelona after agreeing personal terms (The Athletic).

An alternative to the highly-rated Williams, who was rumoured to be a top target, comes in the form of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.

The England international could be just as difficult to prise away from Villa Park, but according to Football Transfers, Unai Emery may have to cash-in.

Aston Villa could be forced to sell Morgan Rogers to Arsenal

The outlet claims that Villa may reluctantly sell Rogers if they recieve a £50 million-plus bid from Arsenal, indicating that a deal could be there for Arteta thanks to their rival’s PSR concerns.

Berta has apparently identified the former Middlesbrough star as a long-term target, and Villa are already pushing ahead with their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze in response, as they weigh up Rogers’ replacement.

Villa anticipate an Arsenal bid for Rogers this summer and are increasingly concerned they’ll lose the 22-year-old, so this could be one to watch.

There is little denying that one of the Premier League’s most impressive sensations from last season would be a stellar capture, either.

“There’s no doubt he’s an exceptional player,” journalist Charles Watts said about Rogers’ links to Arsenal.

“Arsenal saw that first hand last season, especially in the game at Villa Park at the start of the campaign when he gave them all sorts of problems. The expectation is that Aston Villa might have some PSR difficulties that they will have to navigate this summer having failed to qualify for the Champions league and it could be that they are forced into a sale of a player they would ideally not want to let go.

“Rogers is one of those players who has been mentioned as a potential departure and that’s no surprise given the way he has developed since moving from Middlesbrough.

“When it comes to Arsenal, I think he would be a welcome addition should they interest firm up into anything more concrete.”

They replace Jaiswal, Dube and Samson, who will return to India with the rest of the T20 World Cup-winning squad before flying out to Zimbabwe for the last three games

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-2024B Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana have been drafted into India’s 15-member squad for the first two (of five) T20Is in Zimbabwe starting later this week. They will replace Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, all of whom will return to India with the rest of the T20 World Cup-winning squad before flying out to Zimbabwe for the last three games.The victorious T20 World Cup squad was expected to land in India on Monday, but their arrival has been delayed because of Hurricane Beryl, which led to the airport in Barbados being shut down. ESPNcricinfo understands that Samson, Dube and Jaiswal will be part of a felicitation ceremony in India before they travel to Zimbabwe.Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed, who were part of the reserves for the World Cup, are likely to join the squad in Harare directly from the Caribbean. Shubman Gill, who has been named captain of the squad in Zimbabwe, is set to join the squad directly from the USA, where he was on holiday after being released from India’s touring reserves at the end of the group stage.Sai Sudharsan, who made his international debut on the tour of South Africa last December, is currently playing for Surrey in Division 1 of the County Championship and is likely to join the squad in Harare on July 4 after the conclusion of Surrey’s ongoing fixture against Essex. Sai Sudharsan had re-signed with Surrey last month after an impressive maiden stint with the team last year. It’s Sai Sudharsan’s first call-up with the India T20I side.For Jitesh, the call-up is a lifeline of sorts after he fell out of favour with the selectors following a disappointing IPL 2024, where he scored just 187 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 131.69.Rana, for whom this is a maiden India call-up, was part of the victorious Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at IPL 2024. Rana had been at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy till late last month as part of a conditioning camp for rising fast bowlers. He was the joint-second-highest wicket-taker for KKR (19 wickets at an average of 20.15), the same as Andre Russell and only behind Varun Chakravarthy, who had 21.The series kicks off on July 6, followed by matches on July 7, 10, 13 and 14. All matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club.India’s squad for 1st and 2nd T20Is vs ZimbabweShubman Gill (capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshit Rana

It may not quite signal his arrival at Test level, but Keaton Jennings rewarded the selectors’ patience with a big step forward in Galle

George Dobell in Galle08-Nov-2018These are the rewards for patience and persistence. Not just the patience and persistence of Keaton Jennings, who took 76 overs – and almost two years – to reach the second century of his Test career, but patience and persistence him.By the end of the English summer, it seemed unthinkable that Jennings could be selected for this tour. He had, after all, gone 10 Tests in succession without a half-century – a record for an England opener – and averaged just 19.20 in six matches since his recall. Almost unbelievably, he had averaged just 1.33 against deliveries that would have hit the stumps from seamers in the five-Test series against India and went through a spell of dropping chances in the cordon that hinted at a frazzled mind. Twice he was dismissed leaving a ball and it seemed the selectors would leave him, too.Jennings admitted to doubts, too. With the pervasive effects of the media – both social and professional – allowing him no escape from the pressures of the job, it got to the stage where he admits he had to “bluff himself” into believing he was good enough to prosper at this level. By the end of day three in Galle, he had everyone fooled.”When you’re waking up at 6.30am, having a cup of coffee and reading about your technical deficiencies, it’s not human to say it wouldn’t affect you,” Jennings said as he reflected on the last few months. “I’ve been waking in the night panicking, stressing and going through some tough times.”You read things and that doubt gets created. The pressure gets created to the point where I suppose you wake up and doubt what coffee you’re having in the morning. Something as simple as that. So you try to ask yourself ‘where is this pressure coming from?’ And it’s just from a lack of runs.”You have to keep believing. Whether it’s daft of yourself to believe or not, as a sportsman there are times you need to bluff yourself into thinking you’re capable of it. The thought did cross my mind during the India series that I might not make this tour.”ESPNcricinfo LtdAhead of The Oval Test against India, Ed Smith, the national selector, justified Jennings’ continued inclusion by pointing out that his average across the English summer was about the same as all the other openers involved in the Test season. And while that was, at the time, broadly speaking correct, it was followed by Alastair Cook making 71 and 147, and KL Rahul 149, in that final Test.Beyond that, though, Smith pointed out that Jennings’ record against spin made a strong case for his inclusion in the squad to Sri Lanka. Jennings had made a century on debut in Mumbai and, while he seems overly-reliant upon the sweep and reverse-sweep (with which he brought up that maiden century), he has not been dismissed in Test cricket playing either shot. Indeed, as CricViz pointed out ahead of this innings, he has been dismissed once every 78 defensive strokes against spin at this level – compared to once every 25 defensive shots against seam bowlers – and never by a ball that turned less than 4.5 degrees.The ECB system deserves some credit for that. Jennings feels the breakthrough in his batting against spin came when he was sent to the UAE as part of a Lions tour. There he worked on his game with Graham Thorpe and Andy Flower – both fine players of spin themselves, of course – and was subsequently called up to the Test tour to replace the injured Haseeb Hameed. That century in Mumbai followed soon afterwards.”I suppose I’m going to get slated at some point for playing a stupid reverse sweep,” he said. “But I see it as a big strength of mine. I see it as a shot that, in a way, gets me out of jail.”I think at times on turning surfaces, like day one here, if you play with a straight bat you feel like you’re going to nick balls and get out. I felt that reverse sweeping or sweeping was less of a risk.”The team management liked Jennings’ apparently equable character, too. While many players – think of Jonathan Trott or, perhaps, Mark Stoneman towards the end of his spell in the side – allowed the inevitable failures that occur at this level to eat away at their confidence, Jennings has the unusual ability to shrug off failures and remain as calm and positive as ever.That temperament was on display here. There were times he was beaten on the outside edge, but you would hardly have known it: he simply settled for the next delivery and attempted to play it on its merits.The roots of that calm nature may well have been born in crisis, however. After his first spell in the side ended with him being dropped, Jennings realised he needed to recalibrate his life. He started to appreciate that cricket, while important, was not the only way he should be defined and that there were many joys to be had away from the game. It’s not that he doesn’t care – far from it – it’s just that in order to be at his best, he needed to find a way to release the pressure.

I felt a lot more happy in my life away from cricket this year compared to last. I didn’t feel like the stress of selection was hanging over me all the timeKeaton Jennings after his Galle hundred

“I’ve been guilty of feeling the pinch in the way I [just] see myself in terms of runs,” he said. “But cricket is a job. You do it from 8am until 7pm and then you go home enjoy a beer, a rum and coke and time with your niece and nephew. You spend time with your family and actually have a life outside of cricket.”I should say a big thank you to the people – my mum and dad, my uncle – who have stuck with me over the last 18-months backed me through some tough times. I felt a lot more happy in my life away from cricket this year compared to last. I didn’t feel like the stress of selection was hanging over me all the time. I did the previous year.”At times, this year and last year, it’s kept me sane. It lets you feel stable. Hopefully I can continue to bubble myself in that sort of environment.”There was context, too. Had Cook not retired, had Hameed not suffered a catastrophic loss of form, had most viable alternatives not already been tried and discarded, it seems unlikely England would have persisted with him. But they didn’t want to thrust two debutant openers into the fray, they didn’t want to force one of their middle-order batsmen into the position and there weren’t obvious candidates making irrepressible cases for inclusion.So, for this specific tour and in these specific circumstances, there was some logic in his inclusion. And the selectors deserve credit for seeing it. This was Jennings third Test in Asia and he has scores of 112, 54 and 146 not out among them.But a couple of generations of former England batsmen – the likes of Tim Robinson (who averaged 66 after 10 Tests), Alan Butcher (who scored 22,000 first-class runs and won one Test cap), Alan Jones (who made 1000 runs in a season 23 times in succession without winning a Test cap), Hugh Morris (who played two of his this three Tests against a West Indies side containing Marshall, Ambrose, Patterson and Walsh), Kim Barnett (player of the match in his only ODI), Graeme Fowler (final three Test innings: 201, 1 and 69) – could be forgiven for wondering what they might have achieved had they been shown such confidence and support. Jennings knew he was a little fortunate to win this opportunity.The reverse-sweep was a productive outlet for Keaton Jennings•AFPThere was little fortunate about this innings, though. While he survived one leg-before shout on 58 that would have been out had Sri Lanka called for a review, he generally looked admirably solid. Putting to one side the aggression that characterised the batting of England’s top-order in the first-innings, he settled for crease occupation and the unhurried accumulation that befits a side starting their second innings on the second day of a Test.There were 59 singles and just six boundaries in his century and, while he did not come down the pitch to the spinners until he had reached three figures, he swept (both reverse and conventionally) with such assurance that it appeared it was sometimes used as a defensive ploy and played irrespective of the field.Some caution is required, though. There may be several openers in the county game – the likes of Sam Robson (who looks a fine player of spin), Adam Lyth, Stoneman, et al – who would make a century every 10 games or so if given the opportunity. This innings, admirable though it was, does not signal Jennings’ arrival as a Test player. No, the players who can sustain a career at this level, have to produce runs with some degree of consistency.This was a large step forward for Jennings, but he has played 10 Tests in England, not made a half-century and averaged 17.72. Like the sombrero bought in Mexico or the kaftan worn on holiday in the Middle East, what works abroad doesn’t always sit so comfortably at home. England won’t play three spinners at home; it’s possible they won’t play Jennings, either.”This is just a starting point,” he acknowledged. “You have to make sure you do it over and over again. Look at Alastair Cook: he scored 33 Test hundreds and played 161 matches yet there were still doubts about his place at times.”I’ve got to make sure I put it this in context, come out again tomorrow and continue to try and get better. It’s been a tough 18 months, but I sit here tonight really proud.”

The Sri Lanka pair is currently recovering from injuries

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Aug-2024

Tabraiz Shamsi’s celebrations are familiar sights at the CPL•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / Getty

The Sri Lanka pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara will not be available to play for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in CPL 2024. Both players had suffered injuries during the recent white-ball series at home against India.Patriots have signed Tabraiz Shamsi and Anrich Nortje as replacements for Hasaranga and Thushara.While slinger Thushara was ruled out of the entire series with a finger injury, Hasaranga played all three T20Is and the first ODI before being sidelined with a hamstring injury.Related

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Nortje is yet to make his CPL debut but Shamsi is a familiar name at the league, having played 32 games, including 27 for Patriots. Shamsi has taken 33 wickets in those matches for Patriots at an economy rate of 7.06.Nortje and Shamsi will reunite with their South Africa team-mate Tristan Stubbs at Patriots. The side had finished last in CPL 2023, with just a solitary win in ten games.St Kitts & Nevis Patriots squad for CPL 2024Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rilee Rossouw, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Sikandar Raza, Anrich Nortje, Andre Fletcher, Tristan Stubbs, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Joshua da Silva, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan John, Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne

We’ve all been officially warned against jogging in Delhi in the first 10 days of November. Yet here we have a full-fledged cricket match on

Sidharth Monga in Delhi01-Nov-2018It took only a session and a half on the first day of Ranji Trophy cricket this season for a player to wear a mask out to the middle. On day one of the game between Mumbai and Railways, at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aditya Tare, Siddhesh Lad and a few other players wore these masks. It’s time to take a step back and think carefully about the situation: is it wise – or fair – to subject the players to these conditions?To those who live in Delhi, November 1 was indeed one of the more pleasant days. The air quality was merely poor, but those who came from Mumbai complained of coughs, breathing trouble and dizziness after a day of athletic activity in Delhi. We in Delhi have become so desensitised – and indeed physically accustomed – that we actually celebrate days when the air is merely poor, but this is when it actually hits you.On October 27, a Central Pollution Control Board-led task force warned people against running or jogging in Delhi in the first 10 days of November. Yet here we had a full-fledged cricket match, which, if the pollution-caused poor light permits, goes on for six-and-a-half hours each day and over four days. Pollution in Delhi and the surrounding areas has been the cause of a crisis over the last few years. There are various man-made reasons for this, which are beyond the scope of this piece, but the fact remains: in November the pollution reaches its peak, with stubble being burnt in north India as farmers switch from rice to wheat crops in an extremely short window available to them; the smoke from the Diwali fireworks only exacerbates the matter.The solutions are not easy, but prevention is. This is not the first time cricket in Delhi has been affected. Even before the Test last year, play has been called off in Delhi with smoke chamber-like conditions making it dangerous to pursue any athletic activity in.November 1 was likely the cleanest day of this November. There are two worse categories than poor: very poor and severe. Severe was reached last November too. As Diwali approaches, the air will get worse. This match is being played on a flat pitch. Bad light and pollution shouldn’t cost this match crucial time because it seems like a one-innings contest. However, there is another Ranji match in Delhi on November 12, despite the knowledge and warnings that it is not healthy. This year’s half-marathon was held in October for these very reasons.It is unfortunate – the BCCI gets undeserved flak sometimes – but the buck will stop at the Indian board’s door step. On paper, according to the rulebook, it is the prerogative of DDCA (Delhi), the Indian Railways (Railways), and the Indian Armed Forces (Services) to decide where they play their home games. It is understandable they don’t want to lose home advantage. With a chaotic home season, what with all the new teams, the BCCI has its plate full already. But there is a duty of care towards employees that neither the state boards nor the BCCI should look away from.When Sri Lanka struggled in the pollution last year, a few BCCI officials said they didn’t need to worry right away because Feroz Shah Kotla is not up for an international match until 2020. Okay, practical. Let’s take a call in 2019. What about domestic cricket then? Does the wellness of these cricketers matter less? Or is it only an issue if we are shown up in front of an international audience?There is no point being cavalier about it. It is easy to beat a retreat and not indulge in athletic activities in Delhi on these days. With the combined financial strength, wisdom and might of BCCI, DDCA, Railways and Armed Forces, it should be even easier. It is an opportunity for Indian cricket to show the way, and not be passive bystanders, in the process putting the wellness of their biggest resources in jeopardy. They will have no excuses – but massive legal liability – if someone damages his health significantly playing in these conditions.

Hugo Ekitike's previous comments about Manchester United have got fans very interested as a summer transfer saga threatens to heat up.

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• Ekitike admires Man Utd
• Red Devils have made 'direct contact'
• Liverpool & Chelsea also interested

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In an interview at the end of 2024, Ekitike revealed his personal longstanding admiration for Manchester United, which has now come to light once more after his words were reshared by reporter Florian Plettenberg.

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  WHAT EKITIKE SAID

  "My favourite club as a child was Manchester United. I've always admired them," Ekitike told German broadcaster in December of last year.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Plettenberg additionally reported that Manchester United are so far the only club to have made "direct contact" with Eintracht Frankfurt over Ekitike. Fellow suitors Liverpool and Chelsea are said to have only been in touch with the player's representatives, and not his club, up to now.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EKITIKE & MAN UTD?

  Whether Ekitike's childhood preferences and Manchester United's initial contact will put the Premier League club at any kind of an advantage remains to be seen. Ruben Amorim's side are seeking a new striker this summer after struggling for goals from existing frontmen Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in 2024-25. Matheus Cunha has already been brought in, while there is interest in Bryan Mbeumo, Eberechi Eze and Antoine Semenyo as alternative targets.