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India have also run Australia close in some high-stakes T20 clashes in recent years but to take them down in ODIs will require a sustained top-level performance

Vishal Dikshit11-Oct-20251:14

Rana: India’s batting ‘not a major concern’

Big picture: The most-awaited clashBatting collapses and low totals on slow pitches, catches put down, questionable umpiring decisions, mostly one-sided matches…if there is a contest the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 needed to kick it alive and make it a blockbuster spectacle, it’s India vs Australia. Australia clean-swept the Women’s Ashes earlier this year, winning all seven games across formats. India have won all 12 of their ODIs against Pakistan. As a result, the face-off between India and Australia has the makings of an epic on the biggest stage.All 15,087 tickets have been sold out for India vs Australia – obviously scheduled for a Sunday – and the ACA-VDCA Stadium’s near-26,000 capacity is set to break the record for the highest attendance at an ICC women’s T20I or ODI World Cup league match, current held by the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, which had a crowd of 22,843 in the opening game of this World Cup.As the competition nears its halfway stage, India have a lot at stake. While both teams have stumbled their way to Visakhapatnam after collapses in all their respective games, it cost India two points when their five bowling options and the batting-friendly conditions couldn’t put the brakes on South Africa and Nadine de Klerk.India’s concerns don’t stop at their five bowlers though; their top five, especially the senior trio of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, is yet to fire, the fielding hasn’t been as good as it can be and their batters have been perishing to left-arm spinners more than anyone else this tournament, with 12 dismissals in three innings.The washout against Sri Lanka aside, Australia also collapsed in their two outings, but even 128 for 5 and 76 for 7 weren’t enough to keep them down, as Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney reminded us of their depth and quality with their centuries. In their recent bilateral series against India, they did however get bowled out for 190 in the second game, and the high-scoring decider also gave a glimpse of how oppositions could create chances against the world champions.India have also run Australia close in some high-stakes T20 clashes in recent years – the Commonwealth Games 2022 final, the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final and last year’s T20 World Cup league match. But to take Australia down in ODIs will require a sustained top-level performance from India, which they haven’t come close to so far.Form guideIndia LWWLW (last five completed games, most recent first)
Australia WWWLWIn the spotlight: Tahlia McGrath and Harmanpreet KaurYou wouldn’t normally expect a big score from a No. 7 now and then but Australia have collapsed in three of their last four outings, which have given Tahlia McGrath the overs to go out and chip in with notable contributions. When Australia were reeling against New Zealand and Pakistan, she walked out in the 22nd and 16th over respectively but chipped catches to midwicket and extra cover for 26 and a 20-ball 5 which might put some pressure on her. “I’m hoping I don’t have to play much of a role with the bat…” she had joked before their opening game in Indore and even though Australia wouldn’t want another collapse, McGrath will hope more runs come off her bat soon.All eyes will be on Harmanpreet Kaur during the match against Australia•Getty ImagesThere won’t be as many eyes on anyone as there will be on Harmanpreet Kaur on Sunday. The wrecker-in-chief of the historic 2017 semi-final, which made India – and perhaps other teams – believe that Australia are also mortal in World Cups, that too in knockouts, will be itching to get a big one against the world champions after her 9, 19 and 21 in this campaign so far. Even in the bilaterals recently, she scored over 20 just once in three outings, although that came soon after her seventh ODI century, in England. A sell-out crowd in Visakhapatnam will keep their fingers crossed that there’s another big score coming on Sunday.Team news: Will Molineux return to Australia’s XI?The batting conditions in Visakhapatnam and the loss to South Africa will make India wonder if they need to bolster their attack of five bowlers. But they will need to drop a batter for that and their batting has been stuttering anyway, which makes the solution far from straightforward.India (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Deepti Sharma, 7 Richa Ghosh (wk), 8 Amanjot Kaur, 9 Sneh Rana, 10 Kranti Gaud, 11 Shree CharaniWill Australia bring back Sophie Molineux?•Getty ImagesAustralia would have kept their eyes on how India lost wickets to left-arm spinners every game and will be tempted to bring in Sophie Molineux for that reason after she missed their last match, against Pakistan.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahila McGrath, 8 Georgia Wareham/Sophie Molineux, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Alana King, 11 Megan SchuttPitch and conditionsVisakhapatnam offered runs, swing in the afternoon and under lights, and turn as well as the game progressed between India and South Africa. That match was delayed by an hour because of rain, but there is none in forecast for Sunday. The maximum temperature is set to be around 32 degrees, albeit with plenty of humidity like it has been at most venues this World Cup. There was dew in the evening in India’s game against South Africa here, which could affect the teams’ decision at the toss.Stats and trivia Even though Mandhana has been scratchy against swing in the World Cup so far, it will be interesting to see if Australia bring on Ashleigh Gardner in the powerplay. Out of the nine times Gardner has removed Madhana in T20s, eight have been in the powerplay. But in ODIs, Mandhana has fallen to Gardner just twice in the powerplay in 57 balls. Overall, Mandhana has scored 148 runs off 132 balls off Gardner in ODIs, and been dismissed five times The new-ball contest of Gaud vs Healy is one to watch out for. Gaud, just 10 ODIs old, has dismissed Healy three times in 35 balls while conceding 39 runs for an average of just 13 Mandhana needs just 58 more runs to 5000 in ODIs Mooney needs another 93 runs to reach the 3000 mark in ODIs Deepti Sharma is three away from 150 wickets in ODIsQuotes”We’ve seen Australia’s style for many years; they always play aggressively. But our plans are also clear. Whatever we’ve discussed in our meetings, we’ve made our strategies, and we hope to give a positive start tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I think that’s what makes this World Cup so unique, is that you don’t get an opportunity to settle.”

Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli in the January transfer window, and their chances of getting a deal over the line have now been revealed.

Palace have predominantly been linked with new defenders in recent weeks, amid Marc Guehi’s uncertain future, but they are also looking to upgrade their options in attacking areas, having recently failed to craft many decent opportunities against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Indeed, the Eagles recorded an xG of just 0.75 against their rivals, with Jean-Philippe Mateta receiving little service, although that has been a rarity, with the Frenchman currently joint-third in the Premier League’s goalscoring charts.

Premier League top goalscorers

Club

Goals

Erling Haaland

Manchester City

14

Igor Thiago

Brentford

8

Antoine Semenyo

AFC Bournemouth

6

Danny Welbeck

Brighton

6

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace

6

Yeremy Pino was one of Oliver Glasner’s statement signings during the summer, but the Spaniard’s Premier League career is yet to truly take off, having been unable to register a goal or assist in his opening nine matches.

In fairness, it often takes foreign players some time to adapt to life in England, and it is still very early days for Pino, but Glasner has now set out to sign another new forward.

Crystal Palace join race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli

According to a report from Spain, Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign Real Betis star Ezzalzouli, who is being closely monitored ahead of the January transfer window, but there may be competition from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.

Real Betis are reluctant to sanction a departure, but may be forced to listen to an ‘irresistible’ offer, with the Spanish side’s board clear that any deal must amount to significantly more than the Moroccan’s €12m (£11m) valuation.

As such, a deal could be there to be done for Palace, with Glasner looking to bring in another winger to form a top-level forward line, alongside Mateta, Pino and Ismaila Sarr.

Once lauded as “extraordinary” by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, the 23-year-old has made an impressive start to the season for Betis, amassing eight goals and assists in his opening 13 matches across all competitions.

Not only has the Morocco international impressed Xavi in the past, but scout Ben Mattinson has also compared him to Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, in light of the winger’s “explosive” dribbling ability.

The Betis forward’s ability to drive at opposition defences has been on display regularly over the past year, placing in the 84th percentile for progressive carries per 90, when compared to his positional peers, having averaged 4.82.

As such, Ezzalzouli could be a brilliant acquisition for Crystal Palace, and they should try and get a deal done in the January transfer window to bolster their chances of winning the UEFA Conference League.

Crystal Palace lining up move for Brendan Rodgers to replace Oliver Glasner Crystal Palace line up Brendan Rodgers as Oliver Glasner succession plan revealed

The Eagles are making contingency plans, with Oliver Glasner’s contract set to expire next summer.

1 ByDominic Lund Oct 29, 2025

The Premier League season is now starting to take shape as we head into a busy festive period, and there have already been plenty of surprises.

Whether it be Sunderland’s return or Liverpool’s struggles, there have been numerous talking points so far, and FootballBlog have transformed the top flight table to a cost per point basis.

Every current manager in the 2025/26 Premier League ranked

This table is made up of each of the 20 Premier League sides’ total summer transfer spend in 2025, divided by points they have earned in the first 11 games of the season.

Rank

Club

Summer spend

Cost per point

1

Aston Villa

£28m

£1.56m per point

2

Crystal Palace

£49.9m

£2.94m per point

3

Fulham

£35.1m

£3.19m per point

4

Brighton

£67.7m

£4.23m per point

5

Brentford

£92.8m

£5.8m per point

6

Bournemouth

£136.7m

£7.59m per point

7

Everton

£124m

£8.27m per point

8

Man City

£185.8m

£8.45m per point

9

Leeds

£103.1m

£9.37m per point

10

Tottenham

£171.2m

£9.51m per point

11

Sunderland

£183.4m

£9.65m per point

12

Burnley

£97.7m

£9.77m per point

13

Arsenal

£267m

£10.27m per point

14

Man Utd

£232.4m

£12.91m per point

15

West Ham

£131.3m

£13.13m per point

16

Chelsea

£296.5m

£14.83m per point

17

Nottingham Forest

£182.5m

£20.28m per point

18

Newcastle

£256.3m

£21.36m per point

19

Liverpool

£446.5m

£24.81m per point

20

Wolves

£105.6m

£52.8m per point

20 Wolves £52.8m per point

Based off the fact they only have two points from a possible 33, it is no surprise to see Wolves rock bottom of this table as well.

The Old Gold spent over £100m in the summer, so their cost per point so far is extortionate.

19 Liverpool £24.81m per point

Defending champions Liverpool were the biggest spenders by far over the summer, spending just under £450m on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez.

Aside from Ekitike, the Reds’ new additions have struggled massively and as a result, every point Arne Slot’s side have picked up has cost them just shy of £25m.

18 Newcastle £21.36m per point

Pressure is building on Eddie Howe and Newcastle after a poor Premier League start, with the Magpies forking out more than £250m in the summer.

Record signing Nick Woltemade started brightly, but Newcastle are in the relegation zone in this cost per point table at more than £21m for each of their 12 points.

17 Nottingham Forest £20.28m per point

Now onto their third manager of the season, Nottingham Forest are showing positive signs under Sean Dyche and are out of the bottom three in this table.

The Reds spent just under £185m after qualifying for the Europa League, meaning Evangelos Marinakis has spent over £20m per point so far.

16 Chelsea £14.83m per point

Chelsea were the second-biggest spenders in England over the summer, with Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens their three most expensive additions.

The Blues have started in solid fashion after their Club World Cup triumph, so a cost of just under £15m per point so far isn’t terrible for Enzo Maresca’s side.

15 West Ham £13.13m per point

This could have been so much worse for West Ham if they hadn’t picked up back-to-back wins prior to the international break.

Now on 10 points from 11 games, the Hammers spent £131.3m over the summer under Graham Potter, but now have Nuno Espirito Santo in charge.

14 Man Utd £12.91m per point

Unbeaten since September, Man Utd are seemingly beginning to find some form under Ruben Amorim, with marquee signings Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha impressing.

The Red Devils spent more than £230m in the summer, and their haul of 18 points works out at just shy of £13m per point.

13 Arsenal £10.27m per point

Top of the Premier League table after a brilliant first 11 games, Arsenal are mid-table in this cost per point league after forking out £267m on new players as they aim to finally lift the title under Mikel Arteta.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres were the marquee additions in attack, although it has been the Gunners’ defence that has impressed.

12 Burnley £9.77m per point

Newly promoted Burnley are just above the relegation zone but sit clear of it in the cost per point table.

The Clarets brought in the likes of Kyle Walker over the summer, and he’s so far helped them to 10 points in 11 games.

11 Sunderland £9.65m per point

The big success story of the season so far has been Sunderland’s return to the Premier League. After eight years away, the Black Cats signed 13 new players at a cost of £183.4m, many of which have made an instant impact.

Sitting in the top four, Regis Le Bris’ side sit down in 11th here, but that won’t bother them one bit.

Leeds United secured a sensational win in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Daniel Farke’s side beat title challengers Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road, to pick up a huge three points in their quest for top-flight survival.

The game started in perfect fashion for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Defender Jaka Bijol rose highest from a corner to head home, after making a darting run from the edge of the 18-yard box to the corner of the six-yard box before unleashing his powerful header.

Chelsea did not really threaten despite dominating possession, having 71% across the game. Leeds were able to double their lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a sublime effort from Ao Tanaka.

The ball broke to Jayden Bogle on the edge of the box, who laid it off to Tanaka. The midfielder smashed it in from range to put his side 2-0 up.

Enzo Maresca’s men were able to pull a goal back just five minutes after the restart through Pedro Neto. However, Leeds resisted their pressure and managed to get a third goal after a calamitous mistake from Chelsea allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score.

It was a superb win for Leeds, with some standout performances across the pitch.

Leeds’ best players vs. Chelsea

One of the most impressive things about this Leeds victory was how hard everyone worked. That was certainly the case for captain Ethan Ampadu. Playing against his former club, the Welshman was the dominant force in midfield.

His stats from the game reflect how well he performed, both on and off the ball. Ampadu had 54 touches of the ball and had an 86% pass accuracy. He also won six duels and made six ball recoveries.

It was an all-action showing from the Wales international.

Another player who shone for the Whites was right wing-back Bogle. He was a real handful for Chelsea going forward, with his performance earning him an 8/10 rating from Graham Smyth, journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Smyth praised the fact that he ‘drove Leeds forward’, with the defender a real threat in attack.

That all came to a head with his assist for Tanaka, where he pounced on a loose ball before a Chelsea player could reach it, and quickly found his teammate with a first-time pass.

Ampadu and Bogle played well, but they were arguably outshone by one of their teammates.

Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha

It seemed to be a good night for wing-backs at Elland Road. Bogle was not the only one who stood out, with left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson one of the best players in a White shirt against Chelsea.

He enjoyed plenty of success defensively, coming up directly against the electric Estevao, and offered a threat going forward.

Gudmundsson won an exceptional 12 from 19 duels and five from eight tackles, as well as creating two chances.

Touches

55

Ground duels won

12/19

Tackles won

5/8

Ball recoveries

6

Crosses completed

2

Key passes

2

The excellent performance from the Swede was noticed by Smyth, who gave him a 9/10 for his efforts. The journalist praised him for how well he got forward, and credited him for the fact that he ‘got back in to defend and do his bit’.

As far back as September, the left-back was being called “the best” player in the Premier League in his position by journalist James Marshment.

The 26-year-old has made a brilliant start to life at Elland Road, featuring in all 14 of their top-flight games so far, and playing 90 minutes nine times.

There is a case to be made that the defender is Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha. The Brazilian was exceptional for the West Yorkshire side, and really hit the ground running in the Premier League. He managed 15 goals and assists in his first top-flight season.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Well, Gudmundsson is making an equally fast start. To be branded as one of the best players in the league so soon is a testament to how well he has performed.

There haven’t really been any Leeds players who have started this fast, especially on the top-flight since Raphinha, with several of the players they have signed in previous Premier League campaigns now having left the club.

Farke will be desperate for this form to continue, and for Gudmundsson to prove he is one of their best signings since Raphinha.

Better than Calvert-Lewin: 9/10 hero had his best game for Leeds vs Chelsea

This Leeds star shone in their 3-1 win over Chelsea

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 4, 2025

This was Ireland’s third T20I win over Bangladesh

Mohammad Isam27-Nov-2025

Matthew Humphreys picked four wickets while conceding less than four runs an over•BCB

After the Tector brothers – Tim and Harry – powered Ireland to an above-par score, their bowlers ensured a 39-run win over Bangladesh in the first T20I in Chattogram. The hosts have now lost four T20Is in a row while the visitors won their first match of the year.Harry struck five sixes in his unbeaten 45-ball 69, after his younger brother Tim had given Ireland a sound start, with a 19-ball 32. The Tector brothers struck big ones in both ends of the Ireland innings, before their bowlers managed to bowl through the wet conditions due to dew in Chattogram.Fast bowler Mark Adair, playing his first international series since his knee surgery in August this year, sunk Bangladesh in the powerplay. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys took 4 for 13, and took three wickets with the wet ball in his fourth over.Adair forces Bangladesh to crashHumphreys had Tanzid Hasan caught at mid-on in the first over to give Ireland a perfect start with the ball. Adair got a wicket-maiden in his first over back in competitive cricket after five months. He removed Litton Das playing a double-minded cut, easily caught inside the circle for one. Bangladesh sunk to 5 for 3 in the fourth over, when Adair had Parvez Hossain Emon caught at midwicket.Saif Hassan, recently elevated to the vice captaincy in the T20I side, struck the team’s first boundary in the fifth over. He however was clean bowled by Barry McCarthy, who replaced Adair after he bowled a scintillating spell that read 2-1-3-2.Jaker, Hridoy offer brief respiteTowhid Hridoy tried to haul Bangladesh out of a desperate situation, with four wickets down and the required run-rate touching 12 per over. He struck Josh Little for four over mid-off, before hitting Gareth Delany for a square-cut boundary. Both Hridoy and Jaker Ali lofted Delany for a six each in the tenth over, as Bangladesh looked to this middle-order pair to get them out of trouble. Jaker however continued his batting struggle, getting caught at deep third after making 20 off 16 balls.Humphreys skins Bangladesh tailReturning to bowl his last over, Humphreys had quite the mixed bag. He had Tanzim’s wicket with the first ball, caught at long-on. Humphreys bowled three wide deliveries, struggling to keep the wet ball in his grip. He however dried up his hands real good, when he had Rishad Hossain lbw and Nasum Ahmed stumped off consecutive deliveries.After the eighth wicket fell, Ireland dropped several catches mainly due to the wet ball. Hridoy meanwhile reached his fifth half-century, apart from adding 48 runs for the ninth wicket with Shoriful Islam, but it had little consequence on the match.Harry Tector finished unbeaten on 69•BCB

Tim Tector blazes along the groundWhen Ireland batted first, captain Paul Stirling struck three early fours before it was the Tim Tector show. He clattered Shoriful for four boundaries in the third over, which went for 18 runs. Stirling fell in the fifth over after which Tim was joined by Harry, and the Tector brothers exchanged more boundaries from either ends.Tim’s inside-out shot over the covers brought up Ireland’s fifty in the seventh over, before he struck Tanzim Hasan through point. Rishad removed Tim in the ninth over, when Tanzim took the catch at long-on.Harry Tector goes aerialHarry had already got two boundaries including a straight six, before Tim departed the crease. Harry also went for straight sixes off Rishad before Shoriful removed Lorcan Tucker for 18, in the thirteenth over.Curtis Campher aided Harry with three more fours in his 17-ball 24. Harry hammered Shoriful for his third six, pulled over midwicket, before hitting two more sixes in the last over, both over long-on.

Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw at Elche sparked fresh controversy after Vinicius Jr collided with goalkeeper Inaki Pena in the build up to Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser. Elche protested fiercely as Peña was left bleeding, but La Liga’s "Review Time" panel will not re-examine the incident and former Madrid star Fernando Morientes, an member of the panel, has explained why.

• Madrid rescue point amid protests as Elche rage over Vinicius collision

  Los Blancos were forced to settle for a frustrating 2-2 draw against Elche, extending their winless run to three matches in all competitions. After falling behind twice to goals from Aleix Febas and Alvaro Rodriguez, Madrid salvaged a point when Bellingham struck in the 87th minute. But the equaliser triggered furious protests from the home side. In the build up, Vinicius collided with goalkeeper Pena, leaving the Elche goalkeeper bleeding from the nose. Despite strong protests and VAR checks, the goal stood.

  Elche manager Eder Sarabia was livid afterward, insisting the challenge should have been given as a foul, saying: “It’s a clear foul. Not a normal part of the game. That’s what VAR is for. It’s a very clear foul; it hits the goalkeeper and even draws blood. It’s crystal clear.”

  He doubled down in his post-match remarks: “I’m not at all happy with the result, especially considering the decisive moments of the match. Vinicius’s foul for the 2-2 equalizer was crystal clear. Inaki didn’t see the play, but it wasn’t just a normal part of the game, it was a clear foul. It makes me angry to waste time on these things.” His anger set the stage for a fresh refereeing debate and all eyes turned to the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) new “Review Time” system.

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• AFP
  

  Real Madrid legend explains why the play won’t be reviewed

  On , former Madrid striker Morientes, a member of the advisory group that selects which incidents are reviewed, revealed why the collision will not be included.

  Before delivering the verdict, he clarified that the panel had already agreed unanimously on which plays to review this week: “There were already some plays that we had unanimously chosen and this one comes in the last game and almost in the last minutes of the game and unanimously we all think it was a totally fortuitous play, not just me,” Morientes said. “I have already shown that I don't care that he is from Madrid.”

  He insisted the contact looked accidental: “Live, it seemed totally accidental to me, a play between a striker and a goalkeeper.”

  Morientes then gave a striker’s perspective from experience: "I put myself a little in the striker's shoes, which I've experienced 50,000 times, I mean, 50,000 times I've had to bleed from contact with the opponent's head, elbow, shoulder… and the goalkeeper, unfortunately, many more times because he usually goes low and in those kinds of situations." 

• Pena changes his stance after seeing the replay

  While the incident was dismissed as “fortuitous” by the Review Time committee, Pena offered a different view after seeing the footage inside the dressing room.

  He revised his initial pitch-side comments and expressed frustration with what he saw on video: “He shoots, tries to go for the rebound, but on the second play he doesn't let me participate because he knocks me out. For me, it is a foul, but if the referee goes to VAR and says it's not a foul, there's nothing we can do.”

  His shift in tone reflected a deeper anger in the Elche camp, who felt they had earned more than a single point after leading the match twice. For them, it was another example of a decisive moment where decisions went Madrid’s way – a narrative that has shaped much of the wider debate around officiating in Spain this season.

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  Madrid look to reset ahead of key fixtures

  Madrid now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they face Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday. A win would help restore momentum and strengthen their group position after a difficult domestic run. After returning from Europe, Madrid play Girona, currently 18th at the Estadi Montilivi as they push to steady their La Liga form. Despite recent setbacks, they remain top of the league with 32 points, just one point ahead of Barcelona.

  Xabi Alonso has urged his squad to raise their intensity and return to the standards that defined their strong start to the campaign. All eyes will now be on whether Los Blancos can convert that message into results and move past another heated refereeing flashpoint.

Capitals overcame fierce bidding war from Super Kings and Royals while Sunrisers used the right-to-match option on Markram before DSG raised the bidding amount

Firdose Moonda09-Sep-2025Dewald Brevis, the holder of the highest individual T20I score for South Africa, broke the SA20 pay record when he was picked up for R16.5 million (US$945,000 approx.) by Pretoria Capitals (PC) at the auction on Tuesday night.Bidding for Brevis, whose base price was R500,000 ($28,500 approx.), was opened by Joburg Super Kings (JSK). They were in a fierce battle with Paarl Royals (PR) up until the R10 million mark. PR, who only had a purse of R14.5 million going in, then opted out but PC entered the contest. They had a bidding war with JSK, who offered R16 million, but bowed out when PC raised it by R500,000. PC used up more than half their available purse of R32.5 million on Brevis.Brevis also became the second player to break the R10 million mark, 12 minutes after South Africa’s T20I captain and two-time title-winning captain at Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) Aiden Markram sold for R14 million to Durban’s Super Giants (DSG). Markram was hotly contested between DSG and PC, with DSG winning the final bid at R12.4 million. SEC exercised their right to match card but DSG increased the bid to R14 million and SEC let Markram go. Markram could be in the running to captain DSG, whose former leader Keshav Maharaj opened the auction and was picked up by PC for R1.7 million.