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Your ready reckoner for the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals, to be played in Pune, Nagpur, Kolkata and Rajkot from Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Feb-2025FixturesJammu & Kashmir vs Kerala in Pune, from 9.30am IST
Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu in Nagpur, from 9.30am IST
Haryana vs Mumbai in Kolkata, from 9am IST
Saurashtra vs Gujarat in Rajkot, from 9.30am ISTJammu & Kashmir vs KeralaHow they got here: J&K topped Elite Group A with five wins in seven games, including one over Mumbai, the 42-time and defending champions. Kerala, meanwhile, finished second behind Haryana – by just a point, but a vastly superior net run-rate – in Elite Group C.Top performers
J&K
Shubham Khajuria – 663 runs in 12 innings at an average of 55.25 with a top score of 255
Auqib Nabi – 38 wickets in 13 innings at an average of 13.44 with a best of 6 for 54Kerala
Salman Nizar – 399 runs in eight innings at an average of 66.50 with a top score of 150
Jalaj Saxena – 33 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 14.81 with a best of 6 for 41Keep an eye on… The three J&K quicks, Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh and Umar NazirRelated

J&K look at new frontiers, with a bit of luck and a lot of planning

How Saurashtra rewired their game to turn their season around

Vidarbha vs Tamil NaduHow they got here: Vidarbha was the standout team in the group stage, scoring 40 points – five clear of the next best, J&K – with six wins in seven games in Elite Group B. The one that got away was Gujarat, but that too could have gone their way with a bit more time. Tamil Nadu have the bonus points system to thank for their place in the knockouts. They won three of their seven games in Elite Group D, the same as group-toppers Saurashtra, but third-placed Chandigarh actually won four games. That said, Tamil Nadu lost just one game, while Chandigarh lost three.Top performers
Vidarbha
Yash Rathod – 603 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50.25 with a top score of 135
Akshay Wadkar – 556 runs in 12 innings at an average of 55.60 with a top score of 139
Harsh Dubey – 55 wickets in 14 innings at an average of 14.50 with a best of 6 for 36 (he is the top wicket-taker in the competition so far, 17 ahead of second-placed Nabi)Tamil Nadu
N Jagadeesan – 634 runs in 11 innings at an average of 63.40 with a top score of 118 not out
C Andre Siddarth – 532 runs in ten innings at an average of 76.00 with a top score of 106
Vijay Shankar – 449 runs in nine innings at an average of 64.14 with a top score of 150 not out
S Ajith Ram – 31 wickets in nine innings at an average of 17.12 with a best of 5 for 34Keep an eye on… The batters from either side – there’s a lot of firepower there – and Dubey, the 22-year-old left-arm spinner is clearly special. Not to forget Karun Nair, who has had a sensational List A season with Vidarbha and hasn’t been too shabby in the Ranji Trophy either.Haryana vs MumbaiHow they got here: Haryana did just about enough to top Elite Group C, with 29 points to second-placed Kerala’s 28, both teams winning three and drawing four. Mumbai, for a while, looked like they might not make the knockouts, but they had a party against Meghalaya in their final game, winning by an innings and 456 runs, to get past Baroda, who lost their last game to J&K.Top performers
Haryana
Himanshu Rana – 424 runs from 11 innings at an average of 42.40 with a top score of 114
Ankit Kumar – 427 runs from 12 innings at an average of 38.81 with a top score of 118
Anshul Kamboj – 29 wickets in ten innings at an average of 11.75 with a best of 10 for 49Mumbai
Siddhesh Lad – 518 runs from eight innings at an average of 86.33 with a top score of 169 not out
Ayush Mhatre – 413 runs from ten innings at an average of 41.30 with a top score of 176; Shardul Thakur – 381 runs from eight innings at an average of 47.62 with a top score of 119 and 24 wickets in 14 innings at an average of 23.95 with a best of 4 for 43
Shams Mulani – 34 wickets in 14 innings at an average of 23.00 with a best of 6 for 115Keep an eye on… Shardul Thakur – he could well be in the fray when India play Test cricket next, in England in JuneSaurashtra vs GujaratHow they got here: Saurashtra topped Elite Group D narrowly after the top three – Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh – were tied on points, while Gujarat finished a distant second to Vidarbha in Elite Group B after winning four and drawing three.Top performers
Saurashtra
Harvik Desai – 511 runs in ten innings at an average of 56.77 with a top score of 155
Chirag Jani – 486 runs in ten innings at an average of 54.00 with a top score of 198
Dharmendrasinh Jadeja – 35 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 20.40 with a best of 6 for 51Gujarat
Manan Hingrajia – 487 runs in 11 innings at an average of 44.27 with a top score of 181
Siddharth Desai – 33 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 23.06 with a best of 9. For 36Keep an eye on… If Cheteshwar Pujara is playing, it has to be him. But there’s a lot talent scattered across these two line-ups demanding attentionHow to followAll the four games are going to be streamed on JioCinema. You can get all the latest updates on ESPNcricinfo as usual, too. But if you are in Pune, Nagpur, Kolkata or Rajkot, why not hop across and watch it live, at least over the weekend?

Derby County are believed to be battling Championship rivals Swansea City for the loan signing of a “special” Premier League player this summer.

Eustace positive despite Derby defeat

It hasn’t exactly been an ideal start to the season for the Rams, who have lost their opening couple of Championship matches, losing 3-1 away to Stoke City and suffering a 5-3 hammering at home to Coventry City.

Despite this, Derby manager John Eustace found positives to Saturday’s loss against the Sky Blues, seeing enough to feel optimistic about moving forward.

“I was very happy with the attitude of the boys today. The way we stuck together when we went a goal down a couple of times, and then the character we showed to get back into the game when we went 3-2 up, was pleasing. The most disappointing thing for me is that at the moment, we’ve got a bit of a soft underbelly, and we need to get through the difficult moments.

“I appreciate that we’re probably not as up to speed as where we want to be at the moment through different scenarios. Even so, you have to defend the box better than we have been in the last couple of games.”

Derby will know that improvements are needed on the pitch, in order to avoid a relegation battle this season, and they have now been linked with a player that Rams supporters know well.

Derby in the mix to sign "special" winger

According to The Athletic, Derby are pursuing a move for Liverpool youngster Kaide Gordon this summer, with Swansea also eyeing a move for the 20-year-old. The Reds are also “considering loan approaches” for the winger, who started his career with the Rams before completing a move to Anfield in 2021.

Gordon returning to Derby for the rest of the season could go down well, even though he hasn’t necessarily hit the huge heights many predicted, with Jurgen Klopp heaping praise on him during their time working together.

“He is a special kid, everyone knows that. He is really calm, great finisher. But he can improve he needs to get more involved in the game.”

Gordon will know that he has no real future at Liverpool, so a year away will surely appeal to him, allowing him to kick on his career and not grow stagnant.

He has now reached a point where he needs to find an extra gear, looking to add to a tally of only one Championship goal in 16 appearances, but the talent is there for him to be an excellent addition for Derby for a year. Eustace may even feel that a permanent signing could be on the cards next summer, should he impress enough.

Turning towards an imminent Chuba Akpom alternative, Birmingham City’s move to sign an impressive Bundesliga striker is now reportedly “considered a done deal”.

Latest on Chuba Akpom

Ahead of Friday’s meeting between Ipswich Town and Birmingham to get the Championship campaign underway, the two clubs have been involved in a dramatic transfer chase for Akpom. The former Middlesbrough striker looked destined to complete a move to St. Andrew’s before Ipswich came calling to add a twist to the tale.

The transfer tussle is still going on, but if Akpom gets his wish then he will be off to Ipswich this summer. Whether Ajax grant their forward’s wish or simply choose the better offer is now the big question. Either way, no matter the club, Akpom looks destined to find himself on the pitch at St.Andrew’s on Friday.

Opening games rarely need added anticipation, but Akpom’s decision will certainly add fuel to the fire as newly-promoted Birmingham aim to make an instant statement against relegated Ipswich.

Looking ahead to the game, Birmingham boss Chris Davies told reporters: “We know what this place is like when it’s rocking. I have no doubt, that come 8pm on Friday night, it will be rocking, so I’m looking forward to it. Our job is to focus on our work, prepare for the game in the next few days, and then when it comes around be ready to go.”

Even if they miss out on Akpom, meanwhile, reports suggest that Birmingham may still have a fresh striker of their own to counter Ipswich’s potential transfer victory.

Ducksch to Birmingham "considered a done deal"

According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Birmingham City’s move for Marvin Ducksch is now “considered a done deal” after an agreement worth €2m (£1.7m) between the Blues and Werder Bremen.

Birmingham co-owner and former NFL superstar Tom Brady reportedly played a part in talks and was pushing to welcome Ducksch ahead of Birmingham’s Championship return.

At 31 years old, the German will add some vital experience to Birmingham’s frontline alongside young forward Jay Stansfield, whilst also handing Davies a proven goalscorer at the top level.

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Praised as “dangerous” by Werder’s head of football, Clemens Fritz, Ducksch scored nine goals in all competitions last season whilst also creating a further 11 goals. With 20 goal contributions to see his name, it’s clear that the Blues are set to sign undeniable quality at a bargain price.

Everton are “interested” in completing the signing of a player with five England caps to his name, according to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam.

Everton eyeing new signing as well as Fofana

The Blues have been linked with a summer move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana, with the 20-year-old seen as a strong option to bring in out wide.

The Belgian is capable of excelling on either flank, and scored a combined 11 goals in Ligue 1 and the Europa League last season, but it looks as though Everton’s wide business won’t be done there if they do sign him.

A new claim has suggested that David Moyes wants to bring in two wingers during the summer transfer window, although the second player in question isn’t specified.

A host of possible options have been mentioned, including Jack Harrison returning to Everton on a permanent basis, or Takefusa Kubo making a move from Real Sociedad. Now, a versatile player who can shine all over the pitch has been mentioned as a target for the Merseysiders.

Everton "interested" in signing Maitland-Niles

According to McAdam on X, Everton are “interested” in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon, with the former Arsenal man a new target for the Blues.

Maitland-Niles may almost have become a forgotten man to some Premier League fans, considering he has been plying his trade at Lyon since 2023, but he could be a strong addition to Moyes’ squad.

The £36,000-a-week ace has five caps to his name for England, and he has been lauded by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the past.

“First of all, I see a different player in terms of his urgency, his commitment, the clarity in his play, his purpose. Since we made the decision, it was clear what I was seeing that I wanted him to stay, because he was going to be useful. He has a huge talent because he’s versatile enough to adapt to almost any position on the pitch. Today we made use of him to do what he had to do in the game, which was really important.”

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Maitland-Niles’ aforementioned versatility makes him a shrewd option for Everton, with the Englishman capable of doing a job in as many as 10 different positions, whether it be right-back, left-back or central midfield.

Everton are among a host of clubs to have “called” about the availability of a “fantastic” attacking player, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Barry expected to oust Beto at Everton

The Blues have completed the exciting £27m signing of Thierno Barry from Villarreal, with the Frenchman feeling like a statement signing by The Friedkin Group and David Moyes.

The 22-year-old has replaced Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton, coming in to battle Beto for minutes, but journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that he will be the undisputed first-choice striker for the Merseysiders next season.

“Barry will be leading the line for Everton this season, I have little doubt. Will he start the campaign, I wouldn’t rule out Beto starting at this point, but Barry is going to be the main man long-term. Everton are so excited by this lad, he really is a great signing. There are few deals this summer that I have personally been more impressed by than this deal. We will have to see how he settles, but I don’t think it is going to take too long for him to be leading the line.”

Everton fans will hope that there are further signings to play alongside Barry, though, and a new update certainly bodes well in that respect.

Everton have "called" about £17m winger – Romano

Taking to X, Romano claimed that Everton have “called” about signing PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko in a potential £17.3m deal this summer, with many clubs in the same boat to sell the forward who PSV are “set to sell”.

Bakayoko is a player with so much long-term potential, having already racked up a tally of 33 goals and 22 assists in 131 appearances for PSV, as well as being hailed as a “fantastic” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last year.

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The 22-year-old also isn’t short of confidence, either, once talking up his hopes of winning the Ballon d’Or one day: “In the next five years, I want to be close to winning the Ballon d’Or. I’ll do my best and see where it can end, but I don’t want to give myself limits. I don’t want to say, ‘I remember when I won the Ballon d’Or’, or something like this. I want to keep going.”

A right-sided winger who can cut onto his left foot and wreak havoc, Bakayoko could be an ideal choice, adding similar quality to Iliman Ndiaye on the opposite flank.

Likely to be Nottingham Forest’s first departure of the summer, Lyon have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign one of Nuno Espirito Santo’s players who earns around £40,000-a-week at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest write to UEFA about Crystal Palace spot

Whilst transfer rumours rumble on, Evangelos Marinakis is also attempting to improve Nottingham Forest’s position away from the pitch and before a ball has even been kicked next season. The Greek owner has reportedly written to UEFA in an attempt to take Crystal Palace’s Europa League spot amid concerns that the Eagles could be in breach of multi-club ownership rules.

Those at the City Ground certainly aren’t out to make any friends in South London with their reported letter. What they are out for is an upgraded European spot. Of course, had it not been for Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win, Nottingham Forest’s seventh place finish would have been enough to secure a spot in the Europa League rather than the Europa Conference League.

Now that Palace could be kicked out of European competition due to John Textor’s involvement with both the South London club and Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, Forest seemingly want to take full advantage.

Whether they’re successful with those attempts remains to be seen, but a Europa League spot could go a long way towards both boosting Forest’s finances and welcoming key players.

What it may not stand in the way of, however, is an exit for one particular player. With Morgan Gibbs-White already at the centre of speculation amid Manchester City’s reported interest, one Nottingham Forest player now looks to be on his way out.

Lyon reach agreement to sign Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner

According to Fabrizio Romano, Lyon have now reached an agreement to sign Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth just €8m (£6.7m) this summer. The backup goalkeeper, who cost £10m, looks destined to be the first out the door at Forest at a loss and will clear around £40,000-a-week from the Midlands club’s current wage bill.

Although Turner eventually lost his starting place to Matz Sels, the American still had moments to savour at the City Ground and during his time at Arsenal, earning plenty of praise as a result.

When at Arsenal, the goalkeeper found himself at the centre of Mikel Arteta’s praise with the Spaniard telling reporters after Turner kept a clean sheet against Bodo/Glimt: “He was much better in the first half than in the second half in my opinion. We could have had some more control.

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“But I think he was phenomenal in the goal in situations especially when defending the area in behind the centre halves, and in the one-against-one situations he was really good.”

Everything now rests on Manchester United lifting the Europa League in Bilbao to salvage some pride.

The Red Devils’ abysmal domestic season in the Premier League – away from potential European success – continued last time out versus Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca’s Blues dishing out a dire 18th loss of the league campaign.

A major revamp is needed at Old Trafford this summer, therefore, with Ruben Amorim needing to get this summer’s vital transfer window spot on.

Man United's busy summer ahead

It won’t just be hectic with a whole load of incomings entering through the door, with reports suggesting that Rasmus Hojlund could be on his way out of the Theatre of Dreams alongside Marcus Rashford.

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But, away from ongoing talk involving who will be leaving the red half of Manchester, and the excitement levels begin to be raised, with both Matheus Cunha and Viktor Gyokeres routinely linked to Amorim’s men to spice up the attacking personnel.

The flashy names being linked don’t stop there though, with a new report from journalist Graeme Bailey revealing that United hold ‘substantial interest’ in 17-year-old River Plate hotshot Franco Mastantuono and have held talks with the player’s representatives this week.

This could be a tricky deal to get done this summer, however, with United having to fork out a high £38m to activate the South American’s release clause, amidst additional interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and various other keen onlookers.

How Mastantuono could be Man United's own Lamine Yamal

If United were successful in their pursuit of the enthralling teenager, Amorim and Co could be about to land their very own version of Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, with the Argentine winger also making insane waves in his native country.

Much like Yamal at the Camp Nou, Mastantuono has been heavily in the spotlight at River Plate from a very early age.

After all, the Buenos Aires-born attacker is immortalised forever now into the South American club’s rich history, with Mastantuono going down as the team’s youngest ever goalscorer when firing home a strike last year at just 16 years of age.

He hasn’t looked back since that landmark goal, with the left-footed ace now up to seven goals and nine assists in the senior team at River Plate, which included a sublime free-kick finding the back of the net against arch rivals Boca Juniors back in April.

Yamal – who operates down the same right-hand side as Mastantuono – is way out ahead with 24 goals and 34 assists next to his name in Hansi Flick’s starting XI in Spain, but it’s undeniable how similarly electric the two young attackers are, considering the amount of havoc they are both capable of with their dynamite left foot.

Heading to Old Trafford could also be a worthwhile environment for Mastantuono if he wants to advance his game, with a whole host of youngsters developed at the Red Devils for some time now handed their first senior opportunities this campaign under Amorim.

Moreover, the Portuguese boss has also taken a shine to Amad Diallo since arriving, meaning the “crazy” 5 foot 10 attacker – as he’s been labelled by Thierry Henry – could stand a chance at immediate first-team action with both the Ivorian and the South American blistering in style down the right flank.

Winning such a sought-after starlet could also boost United’s reputation after such a harrowing 2024/25 campaign, with Amorim’s approach of shifting on deadwood allowing the Red Devils to hopefully enter into a new era spearheaded by some immense future talents.

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