O Palmeiras não para nem no dia do clássico contra o São Paulo. Os times encerram nesta segunda-feira (29), às 20h, no Estádio do Morumbis, a quarta rodada do Brasileirão. O técnico Abel Ferreira fará os últimos ajustes antes do Choque-Rei, em treino tático na Academia de Futebol.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras
A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!
O volante Zé Rafael, desfalque desde a final do Paulistão por lombalgia, foi a campo no último treinamento e participou de uma parte da movimentação. O clube informou que o jogador cumpre cronograma com o Núcleo de Saúde e Performance, assim como Dudu e Bruno Rodrigues.
Para o clássico, Abel Ferreira pode promover algumas mudanças visando poupar os atletas mais cansados. Desgastado após uma longa sequência de jogos, Raphael Veiga pode dar lugar ao jovem Luís Guilherme, de apenas 18 anos, que decidiu a vitória na Libertadores no meio de semana.
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O jovem, inclusive, já disse que gosta de jogar no mesmo setor do camisa 23. Rômulo e Jhon Jhon correm por fora como opções no elenco para substituir Veiga.
O provável time do Palmeiras tem: Weverton; Luan, Gómez e Murilo; Mayke, Aníbal Moreno, Richard Ríos, Raphael Veiga (Luis Guilherme) e Piquerez; Endrick e Flaco López (Rony).
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No Brasileirão, o Palmeiras tem uma vitória, uma derrota e outro empate, e ocupa o 12° lugar na tabela de classificação.
أعلن بيرلويجي كولينا رئيس لجنة الحكام في الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” عن موقفه بشأن استخدام تقنية الفيديو المساعد “الفار” في الركلات الركنية خلال كأس العالم الصيف المقبل.
وأفادت “ESPN” العالمية أن كولينا أعرب عن تأييده لاستخدام تقنية الفار في الركلات الركنية خلال مونديال 2026.
وقال كولينا إنه سيكون من المؤسف أن يحسم خطأ غير مقصود من أحد الحكام نتيجة مباراة.
وكانت تقارير قد انتشرت هذا الأسبوع وذكرت أن الاتحاد الدولي “فيفا” يحرص على توسيع نطاق بروتوكولات تقنية الفيديو المساعد لتشمل الركلات الركنية في نهائيات كأس العالم في الولايات المتحدة وكندا والمكسيك.
اقرأ أيضاً.. ميسي مشيدًا بـ سكالوني: شخص رائع.. ويتعامل مع اللاعبين بشكل مثالي
ويجب أن يتم اعتماد هذا النظام كتجربة من جانب مجلس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم لكي يتم تطبيقها في هذه المرحلة المتقدمة وسيعقد اجتماعه السنوي لاتخاذ القرار النهائي الشهر المقبل.
وذكر كولينا خلال مؤتمر صحفي في واشنطن قبل ساعات من قرعة كأس العالم حول هذه التقنية: “أعتقد أنه يجب أن يكون لدينا هدفاً جماعياً باتخاذ قرارات صائبة في الملعب”.
وأضاف: “سيكون من المؤسف أن تحسم نتيجة أي مسابقة ليس بناء على أداء اللاعبين في الملعب بل بناء على خطأ فادح ارتكبه صانع القرار”.
وختم: “هذا ما أقنعنا قبل 13 أو 14 عاماً بالتفكير في كيفية دعم الحكام بالتكنولوجيا لذا إذا تمكنا من تحقيق ذلك سيكون إيجابياً لي، سنناقش الأمر وسنرى ما ستكون عليه النتيجة لأنني أعتقد أن الهدف يستحق العناء، لا يجب أن نضطر لدفن رؤوسنا في الرمال”.
Whilst long throws, set pieces and teams centred around physicality are back in fashion, a lot has changed in the Premier League since 1992. It’s now the richest league in the world, featuring some of the best players and managers in world football. It is the ultimate destination. But, how much has the table changed in that time?
FootballBlog has released a full ranking of the Premier League table from its very first season in 1992 up until the beginning of the recent November international break. The table includes deductions issued by the Premier League and has tallied the wins, draws and losses by teams over the last 33 years. A total of 51 teams have featured in the top flight over the last three decades, but only 20 can make the all-time standings.
Premier League table by transfer spend per point 2025/26
The top flight would look very different.
ByCharlie Smith Nov 14, 2025 20 West Bromwich Albion: 490 points
They may be languishing outside the top six in the Championship these days, but there was a time when an away trip to face West Bromwich Albion was a day of frustration for any top side. They sit 20th thanks to the fact that they haven’t returned to the top tier since 2021, but it’s hard to forget just how impressive they were at their best – finishing as high as eighth in the 2012/13 season. And who could forget the form of Romelu Lukaku during his time at the Hawthorns?
19 Bolton Wanderers: 575 points
Ever seen a player so good they named him twice? That was Jay-Jay Okocha. The former Bolton Wanderers star formed the most unlikely partnership with Sam Allardyce during the club’s impressive 11-year stay in the Premier League. Their best finish saw them reach as high as sixth in the 2004/05 season and there still exists the famous video of Allardyce attempting his best dance moves with his star midfielder in 2003.
18 Sunderland: 637 points
Sunderland have been back to where they belong this season and are even on course for their highest-ever Premier League finish. The Black Cats have fought their way back from the depths of League One and may yet get the chance to move up the all-time Premier League table by the time that May arrives. A club built on the memories of stunning Jermain Defoe volleys and Kevin Phillips’ goalscoring heroics could now be about to form their most historic campaign yet.
17 Middlesbrough: 661 points
This time next year, we could be welcoming Middlesbrough back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. It was then that they welcomed the likes of Alvaro Negredo, only to struggle in front of goal when it wasn’t the forward finding the back of the net. It was the third time that they suffered relegation from the Premier League in their history and everyone around Riverside will be desperate to earn redemption almost a decade later.
16 Crystal Palace: 728 points
Whilst there is a running joke that Crystal Palace always end the season sat in 13th, the all-time table has them 16th and their form over the last year suggests that they could be destined for better things. From mid-table mediocrity, the Eagles have soared to become FA Cup winners, Community Shield winners and a side competing in European football. This is without doubt one of, if not the best Crystal Palace side in the club’s history.
15 Fulham: 804 points
Like Palace, Fulham have often been accused of ending their seasons sat in mid-table, but they won’t mind that. The Cottagers have become an established Premier League side once again under Marco Silva and have caused plenty of upsets on their way. Alas, it’s their time under Roy Hodgson that stands out the most, with the veteran manager taking the West London side all the way to the Europa League final in 2010. 15 years later, no one’s forgotten the stunning comeback victory against Juventus at Craven Cottage.
14 Leeds United: 831 points
Like Sunderland, Leeds United are back where they belong in the Premier League. The Whites are full of top flight history and still have their place on the all-time table after the success that they had in the early Premier League years. Their most successful campaign remains a third-place finish under David O’Leary in 2000 to bring Champions League football to Elland Road, as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith all starred.
13 Leicester City: 846 points
It’s still absurd, isn’t it? Leicester City: Premier League champions. It remains the most impressive achievement in English football history, as the Foxes took the fight to the big six and somehow came out on top in the 2015/16 campaign. We’re unlikely to see a repeat anytime soon, if ever. Even after they suffered relegation last season, it’s tough to think about the Premier League without picturing Claudio Ranieri’s title winners.
12 Blackburn Rovers: 970 points
It’s been over a decade since Blackburn Rovers were relegated from the Premier League and they remain one of the biggest sides yet to earn promotion back to the top flight. From winning the title in the 1994/95 campaign, Blackburn were relegated in the 1998/99 season and then once more in 2012. History, however, will tell the story of how Sir Kenny Dalglish, with Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, took his side to glory in 95.
11 Southampton: 1,100 points
For a while, Southampton couldn’t get much wrong in the Premier League. They thrived under Mauricio Pochettino then hired Ronald Koeman to pick up where he left off. The Saints also quickly became Liverpool’s favourite club, with Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Virgil van Dijk all heading to Anfield for impressive fees. Although some will be quick to remember last season’s disaster, Southampton were once one of the best ball-playing teams outside the top six.
O maior propósito do Jogo das Estrelas, evento beneficente anual organizado por Júnior Coimbra e que tem o ídolo Zico como anfitrião, é viabilizar a maior parte de sua renda a projetos sociais e instituições de caridade. Com a presença do Galinho, a entrega oficial das doações da edição 2023 será realizada nesta quinta-feira (25/04), no Hotel Windsor Barra, Zona Oeste do Rio.
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– É claro que é um prazer enorme todo ano reunir amigos e craques do futebol no Jogo das Estrelas, uma grande festa que fazemos para a torcida, que sempre comparece em peso e eu só tenho a agradecer por tanto carinho. E é justamente todo esse apoio do público que nos leva a esse dia tão especial, quando conseguimos reverter grande parte da renda a várias instituições, objetivo do nosso evento – disse Zico, sempre realizado ao receber os projetos beneficiados.
Neste ano, serão 19 as instituições a receber o auxílio do Jogo das Estrelas. São elas: ABBR, Associação Semente da Vida da CDD, Capoeira IBCE, Casa Ronald RJ, CEEAK – Allan Kardec, Coletivo Vila Beira Mar, Desapego Solidário, É Por Amor, Fundação do Rim, Instituto Arteiros, Instituto Movimento e Vida, LIAP-Amor Puro, Maranathá Rio, Meninos de Luz, Origem Amorim, Projeto Avante e Repartir. O Instituto PHI foi beneficiado pelo Passaporte Solidário, um camarote especial no dia do jogo, e o NEAC-Projeto Equilíbrio receberá chuteiras por conta da parceria com o SporTV no projeto DOE GOLS.
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– Estamos extremamente felizes em ser agraciados com a doação desse projeto maravilhoso que é o Jogo das Estrelas, certamente o evento beneficente de maior público do Brasil, o que vai contribuir para os inúmeros projetos da Fundação do Rim. Somos uma instituição ativa há 20 anos, que atende crianças e jovens portadores de doenças renais em todo estado do Rio de Janeiro, aproximadamente 150 famílias assistidas – vibrou a médica Fátima Bandeira, vice-presidente da fundação.
– O Instituto Brasileiro de Capoeira-Educação se sente honrado com a premiação do Jogo das Estrelas, não somente pela visibilidade que o evento traz, mas principalmente pelo reconhecimento de um ídolo que ultrapassa gerações, o nosso eterno Galinho. A Capoeira está presente no futebol brasileiro, com toda sua ginga, e Zico é o maior representante de um futebol gingado – agradeceu Mestre Ferradura, presidente do IBCE.
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Ano marcante: Jogo das Estrelas chega a sua 20ª edição em 2024
O Jogo das Estrelas entrou em cena pela primeira vez em 2004, realizado no CFZ. E já chegou mostrando toda sua força, ao trazer o craque Diego Armando Maradona para a festa. De lá para cá, passou ainda por outros quatro diferentes palcos: Nilton Santos, Morumbi, Estádio Luso-Brasileiro e Maracanã, que se tornou a casa definitiva, onde Zico emplacou 334 gols na carreira. Assim, o ano de 2024 será marcante nessa trajetória.
– Todo nosso intuito, e por isso fazemos um evento tão bonito, é justamente poder ajudar tantas instituições, sempre tentando adicionar outras mais, na medida do possível. Até mesmo nos momentos de dificuldade conseguimos realizar o evento, com apoio dos patrocinadores, da imprensa e do público. E este ano de 2024 será ainda mais especial, por chegarmos à 20ª edição. Queremos fazer o maior Jogo das Estrelas da história – comentou Júnior Coimbra.
SERVIÇO: Data: quinta-feira (25/04) Horário: das 10h às 12h Local: Hotel Windsor Barra Endereço: Av. LúcioCosta,2.630
Seamer Sami got his maiden five-wicket haul after Zadran’s patient 95 and Nabi’s blazing 62* took Afghanistan to 293
Mohammad Isam14-Oct-2025
Mohammad Nabi cracked 62* off just 37 balls•Afghanistan Cricket Board
Afghanistan completed their decimation of Bangladesh, wrapping up a 3-0 ODI series win with a 200-run win in the third game in Abu Dhabi. After managing to put up 293 for 9, they shot out Bangladesh for just 93. Afghanistan’s ODI series win comes by the same margin as Bangladesh’s in the T20Is.After Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi bookended Afghanistan’s batting effort with excellent half-centuries, seamer Bilal Sami took his maiden five-wicket haul. But much of the rout came about once again due to Rashid Khan, who took three wickets in his first three overs.Bangladesh’s batters capitulated ad nauseum. They hardly any impact on the contest throughout the series, thus continuing the trend in the third game. The procession started with Mohammad Naim struggled for 23 balls before Azmatullah Omarzai had him caught at slip for 7.Leading up to his dismissal, it was only one-way traffic of runs from the other end. Bangladesh looked like they could get out of some early trouble leaning on Saif Hassan. He didn’t disappoint, scoring heavily in the powerplay with a couple of sixes and a four.However, Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his poor form in ODIs when Sami had him bowled off an inside edge. Saif tried to get Bangladesh out of trouble, but hardly had the strike.Then, as it has often happened, it was the Rashid show. Towhid Hridoy fell on his first ball, unable to read the rapid googly. In the next over, it was Saif who missed the googly by a whisker, the ball sneaking through his bat and pad. He finished as the top-scorer with 43 off 54 balls with two fours and three sixes.Ibrahim Zadran fell for 95•Afghanistan Cricket Board
Sami then took his first wicket by getting Mehidy Hasan Miraz caught behind for 6, before Shamim Hossain got run-out next ball. Nurul Hasan had played the Sami delivery towards point, where Nangeyalia Kharote caught Shamim fidgeting out of his crease.Rashid took his third wicket in as many overs when he had Nurul lbw in the 21st over. Bangladesh’s procession continued when Sami added his third by having Tanvir Islam caught-and-bowled in his next over. Rishad became Sami’s fourth victim when he top-edged him to mid-on. Sami took his fifth when Hasan Mahmud holed out in the 28th over.Afghanistan had earlier set themselves up nicely for a big total. Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz sped away to add 99 runs for the first wicket. Gurbaz was, as usual, the enforcer, striking five fours and a scrumptious six in his knock of 42. Zadran wasn’t going to hang back, though, after his sedate 95 in the previous game. He reached his fifty shortly after Gurbaz got out, before adding another 74 runs for the second wicket with Sediqullah Atal.The pair gave Afghanistan the perfect launching pad at 173 for 1 in the 32nd over, but Saif upended their plans at that stage. The part-time offspinner took three wickets in four overs, as Afghanistan lost four wickets for 15 runs in the space of 25 balls.Omarzai struck three fours to keep them afloat, but Afghanistan kept slipping, until they reached 249 for 9 in 48 overs. Nabi was batting at 24 off 25 balls at that stage, but no sooner had Nahid Rana left the ground suddenly after bowling two legal balls in the 49th over that Nabi sprung into action.He struck Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who stepped up to complete Rana’s over, for three sixes in four balls, before pasting Mahmud for a six and three fours in a 19-run last over. Afghanistan picked up 44 runs in the last two overs to upend Bangladesh’s recovery with the ball.
O Corinthians venceu o Cruzeiro por 1 a 0, nesta quarta-feira (10), no Mineirão, pelo jogo de ida das semifinais da Copa do Brasil. Na volta, a equipe pode empatar para Dorival Júnior chegar a sua quinta decisão no torneio nacional.
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O treinador disputou a final da competição duas vezes pelo Santos (2010 e 2015), uma vez pelo São Paulo (2023) e outra pelo Flamengo (2022). Dorival conquistou o título em quatro oportunidades e é um especialista do torneio.
O técnico não é eliminado da Copa do Brasil desde as quartas de final do torneio em 2016, quando comandava o Santos e perdeu para o Internacional. Em 2025, pelo Corinthians, faz uma boa campanha e passou por Novorizontino, Palmeiras e Athletico Paranaense.
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Desde setembro, quando soube que iria encarar o Cruzeiro nas semifinais, o Corinthians adotou uma estratégia mirando a competição: ter 100% do elenco à disposição. O plano ficou ainda mais claro nas últimas rodadas do Brasileirão, quando atuou com uma equipe alternativa.
O Timão chegou para enfrentar o Cruzeiro com o retorno de diversos atletas ao time titular, como André Ramalho, Yuri Alberto, Memphis e Carrillo. Apesar da vitória, Dorival Júnior manteve os pés no chão para falar sobre a vantagem.
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– Por isso nós temos que ter consciência de que o jogo do final de semana será ainda mais pesado, muito mais forte, com as equipes ainda mais concentradas, e o resultado está todo ele em aberto. Temos uma pequena vantagem muito importante, construída dentro da casa do Cruzeiro. Uma equipe excelente, muito bem treinada. Assim foi o Corinthians também. Por isso a igualdade no jogo, as equipes buscando gol a todo momento. Em alguns momentos prevalecendo o Cruzeiro, em outros o Corinthians. Um jogo de alto nível em razão da maneira como as duas equipes se enfrentaram – disse o treinador em entrevista coletiva.
Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians
Copeiro
O termo é utilizado para equipes ou treinadores com bom desempenho em torneios no regulamento de mata-mata. Mesmo com o ótimo retrospecto na competição nacional, Dorival Júnior preferiu dar os créditos aos jogadores.
– Quem resolve os jogos são os jogadores. Treinadores preparam, eles executam. Houve um interesse, uma integração, uma preocupação muito grande, em cumprirem funções. Quando isso acontece, você tem comportamentos respeitados em campo. Você aumenta a sua possibilidade de um bom resultado. Não tendo isso, naturalmente você acaba dificultando as suas condições – disse o treinador.
Próximo jogo do Corinthians
As equipes voltam a se enfrentar no domingo (14), às 18h (de Brasília), na Neo Química Arena. Com a vitória no Mineirão, o Timão joga pelo empate para chegar à final da Copa do Brasil. O rival da decisão será definido entre Fluminense e Vasco.
This season is shaping up very nicely for Chelsea at the moment.
Enzo Maresca’s side are second in the Premier League and have the chance to cut Arsenal’s lead to just three points on Sunday.
Then in Europe, they sent a warning out to the rest of the sides in the Champions League with their thumping 3-0 win over Barcelona, a game in which Estevao shone once again.
Maresca and Co will have a chance to make Chelsea’s season even better once the transfer window reopens in just over a month, not just by signing players, but by selling one who once looked like Estevao when he was a youngster.
Estevao's sensational start to life at Chelsea
The expectations placed upon Estevao have been monumental for quite some time now, to the point that respected analyst Ben Mattinson labelled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner” months before Chelsea even signed him.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Since then, the hype surrounding him has only grown, thanks in large part to his fine form in Brazil, where he produced 17 goal involvements in 37 games last season.
Even so, few would have expected the start to this season he has had.
The youngster is not only playing a decent number of minutes, but he’s chipping in with important goals and has already shown a hugely impressive ability to get the fans on their feet.
So far, the 18-year-old has scored five goals and provided one assist for the Blues in 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes.
That comes out to an excellent average of a goal involvement every 2.83 games, or every 123.33 minutes, which would be commendable for a seasoned veteran, let alone a teenager.
The Franca-born wonderkid has been so effective this year that fans and pundits have actually spoken about him being a particular threat to league-leading Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s game.
However, while Chelsea should be delighted with their new wonderkid, they also need to find a way to sell one of their biggest duds, who once looked like Estevao when he was first breaking through.
The Chelsea flop who needs to be sold
Chelsea have become quite good at moving on players they don’t want in recent years, but even then, a couple remain in the bomb squad who are proving tricky to sell, like Raheem Sterling.
The former Manchester City star joined the club in 2022, and while he’s had moments for the club in which he’s looked excellent, they’ve only ever been that, moments.
Moreover, while his tally of 19 goals and 15 assists in 81 games isn’t terrible, he’s never really put together a string of impressive performances, which is why he was allowed to join Arsenal on loan last year.
Unfortunately, that move only made the situation worse, as he ended up scoring just a single goal and providing five assists in 28 games for the Gunners, and was labelled a “passenger” by journalist Charles Watts.
Since returning to Stamford Bridge, the 30-year-old has been left to train separately from the first team, and with a weekly wage of £325k, that is far from ideal.
It is a serious shame that things have not worked out for the former England international, as before his move south, he was one of the best players in the league.
For example, during his time at the Etihad, he scored 131 goals and provided 86 assists in 339 appearances and won four league titles.
He was even a brilliant player for Liverpool, making his debut in the 11/12 season, but making his name in the 13/14 season, when, like Estevao now, he was just 18 years old.
In that season, the Kingston-born phenom managed to rack up an incredible tally of ten goals and seven assists in 38 appearances, totalling 2535 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.23 games, or every 149.11 minutes.
Sterling (13/14) and Estevao (25/26) at 18
Player
Sterling
Estevao
Appearances
38
17
Minutes
2535′
740′
Goals
10
5
Assists
7
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.44
0.35
Minutes per Goal Involvement
149.11′
123.33′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
It wasn’t just the goals, though, as, like the Brazilian, he was a serious threat with the ball at his feet, thanks in part to his speed and close control.
Ultimately, Sterling will go down as a legend of the Premier League, but for the sake of all parties, Chelsea need to sell him in January, even if they barely get anything.
The original Estevao: Chelsea lead race to sign "best player in the world"
Chelsea could sign the original Estevao for a mega-money fee.
South Africa have lost six of their previous seven Tests in India
Sidharth Monga13-Nov-20252:04
Bangar: South Africa’s spin-bowling allrounders will be critical
Big picture: World Test Champions’ toughest testThe variety of conditions Test cricket offers is evident from how the format’s world champions, South Africa, have not been able to even compete in their previous seven Tests in India, the country of their next challenge. They lost six of those Tests comprehensively, and were on their way in the seventh but for the rain.Even within India, South Africa have struggled in a variety of conditions. In 2015-16, they were outdone by a young side for whom the team management considered raging turners a necessity. Then, in 2019-20, against an established home team, South Africa were blanked by huge margins on good batting surfaces that had nothing for the home spinners, who averaged 27.18 compared to their fast bowlers’ 17.50.The world champions make this trip in 2025-26 not with any significant new faces in their attack but with more experience, and thus more equipped to compete during what has to be South Africa’s toughest tour. Keshav Maharaj was their lead spinner on the previous tour too. Simon Harmer toured in 2015-16. Senuran Muthusamy played two Tests in 2019-20. Kagiso Rabada remains the banker fast bowler.Related
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Dhruv Jurel: too good to keep out, too good to just keep
South Africa will also hope that India, who suffered a shock loss against New Zealand last year and are still a team in transition, still haven’t nailed the method to win home Tests. They blanked West Indies earlier this season, but they weren’t entirely invulnerable.Still, South Africa will need nearly everything to go their way to win a Test on this tour, just like it did for New Zealand last year. While India are currently third on the WTC points table, having drawn 2-2 in England and beaten West Indies 2-0, South Africa have only just begun their title defence with a 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month.Form guideIndia: WWWDL South Africa: WLWWWShubman Gill has been hopping formats frequently since September•AFP/Getty Images
In the spotlight: Keshav Maharaj and Shubman GillKeshav Maharaj comes to India with experience of 60 Tests; he’s second only to Ravindra Jadeja among left-arm spinners in Test cricket. With India unlikely to offer square turners or assistance for traditional seam bowling, Maharaj will have to bear a heavy workload, and provide wickets and control.Starting September, India’s newest all-format star Shubman Gill has had no break. He got three days, including the travel day, between the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE and the first Test against West Indies in India. Then just four days to travel to Australia and switch to ODIs before going back to playing T20Is in three days. After that, a five-day break, which included travel from eastern Australia to eastern India to captain the team in an important series. Gill is young and fit, and must be itching to play as much as he can, but keep an eye on how well he readjusts to the longest format.Team news: Jurel and Pant both set to playAgainst West Indies, India got away with playing practically a ten-man side. Given India’s need for a seam-bowling allrounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy was understandably given games to develop his skills, but he hardly had a role to play in the series. Now, with their No. 1 Test wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant fit again, India have decided to keep Dhruv Jurel in the XI as a specialist batter and release Reddy to the India A side. The rest of the team should remain unchanged.India (probable): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 B Sai Sudharsan, 4 Shubman Gill (capt), 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Dhruv Jurel, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajTemba Bavuma should replace Dewald Brevis in South Africa’s XI•Associated Press
South Africa should look to replicate the combination that won their previous Test, against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The batting ability of their first-choice attack gives them depth without compromising the bowling. Marco Jansen should pip Wiaan Mulder to the XI because there’s unlikely to be assistance for traditional seam bowling. The returning captain Temba Bavuma should take Dewald Brevis’ spot.South Africa (probable): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Tony de Zorzi, 5 Temba Bavuma (capt), 6 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 7 Senuran Muthusamy, 8 Simon Harmer, 9 Marco Jansen, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Kagiso RabadaPitch and conditionsEarly indications suggest a good batting track at Eden Gardens, which could possibly bring reverse swing into the picture. There will be little grass on the pitch but it is not expected to be excessively dry or cracked either. A potentially tough task awaits the side that loses the toss.Stats and trivia Gill has won only one toss in seven Tests as captain. South Africa have not won the toss in their previous seven Tests in India. One of these unlucky runs will end on Friday. Kyle Verreynne is five short of becoming only the fifth South Africa wicketkeeper to reach 100 Test dismissals. Jadeja is just ten runs short of becoming only the fourth player in the world to achieve the double of 300 wickets and 4000 runs in Tests.