A dream partner for Gray: Spurs open talks to sign £26m English star

Tottenham Hotspur have a huge January transfer window ahead of them if they are to be successful under Thomas Frank between now and the remainder of the campaign.

Various areas of the pitch are in need of investment, especially considering the Lilywhites are currently occupying a place in the bottom half of the Premier League.

The Dane has no doubt been under pressure as a result, with the 52-year-old potentially suffering the same fate as the likes of Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim, who have both been sacked.

Brennan Johnson’s departure to Crystal Palace has already handed the manager some immediate funds to work with this winter, but it remains to be seen how much he will have available.

However, with the window now open, the hierarchy must act quickly to secure the services of numerous players to avoid missing out on them to any of their rivals.

Spurs in contact for top European midfielder

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been named as just one of the Premier League clubs involved in the hunt to land Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.

The Lilywhites have been credited with an interest in recent days, but they face stern competition from Liverpool and Manchester United for his signature this winter.

However, any deal would be a club-record one for Frank’s men, with the Seagulls currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m to part ways with the Cameroonian international.

Baleba isn’t the only midfield option currently in their sights, with Atlético Madrid star Conor Gallagher another option being considered by the Spurs hierarchy.

According to TEAMtalk, Frank’s men have already reached out to the LaLiga side over a deal for the Englishman, with a loan or permanent deal currently being considered.

It also states that Diego Simeone’s side are demanding a fee in the region of €30m (£25m) for the 25-year-old, who’s featured 19 times in Spain’s top-flight this campaign.

Why Gallagher would be perfect for Gray at Spurs

In an attempt to lead Spurs up the Premier League table in recent weeks, Frank has finally shown faith in youngster Archie Gray to provide the goods at the heart of the side.

The 19-year-old joined in a £40m deal from Leeds United in the summer of 2024, but despite racking up 56 appearances, many of which have been in an unnatural role.

However, he’s currently endured a run of seven successive starts at the heart of the side, often partnering Uruguayan international Rodrigo Bentancur in front of the backline.

Gray has caught the eye during such a run, even managing to net his first senior career goal during the recent 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

However, despite his impressive spell in the first-team, he desperately needs another top talent alongside him to aid his progression in North London.

Gallagher could provide exactly that should he make a move back to the Premier League, with the Atletico star a player who could be the perfect partner for Gray.

His underlying stats from the ongoing campaign showcase the levels he’s currently performing at, highlighting what an excellent addition he would be to Frank’s men.

Gallagher, who’s been dubbed “sensational” by journalist John Cross, has thrived in possession as seen by his tallies of 92% passes completed, with 4.1 of his efforts per 90 going into the final third.

Such numbers showcase his incredible ball-playing ability, which would hand another super orchestrator in possession, which could aid his possession-based system.

Comor Gallagher – LaLiga stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

19

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

92%

Progressive passes

3.8

Passes into final third

4.1

Tackles won

3.1

Interceptions made

2.2

Blocks made

1.3

% of tackles won

58%

Stats via FBref

However, out of possession is where the former Chelsea star has made a name for himself, as seen by his remarkable tally of 3.4 tackles won per 90 in 2025/26. There is a reason he’s been described as an “intensity monster” by some.

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The aforementioned tally puts him in the top 15% of all players in the division, which further reaffirms his quality at regaining the ball for his side when under the cosh.

He’s also managed to make 2.2 interceptions per 90, along with 1.3 blocks made per 90, with Gallagher the perfect box-to-box option for Frank this winter.

Such talents would take some of the defensive responsibilities off the shoulders of Gray, which could free the youngster up and allow him to reach his full potential.

A loan and permanent deal are being considered by the Lilywhites hierarchy at present, with either move massively suiting Spurs given the quality the Englishman possesses.

His experience in the Premier League and Europe is also a massive selling point, which in turn could also allow Gray to learn off him and add a new dimension to his current skillset.

Their new Son: £80m + "generational talent" is a transfer target for Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur look set set to go after a star who could emulate Heung-min Son in North London.

ByEthan Lamb

Leeds now expected to hold formal talks to sign £25m+ Serie A star

Leeds United are now expected to hold formal talks to sign a Serie A forward in the January transfer window, according to recent reports.

Farke confirms Leeds' January plan

Ever since rumours emerged that Daniel Farke could lose his job at Elland Road, Leeds have been one of the most impressive sides in the Premier League. The German’s decision to switch to a 5-3-2 system has been nothing short of genius and has unlocked Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s best form since Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton days.

As things stand, the Whites are six points clear of the dropzone and have the chance to take that to nine points with victory over a Liverpool side they held to a 3-3 draw not so long ago.

Success at Anfield would leave Leeds in dreamland heading into the new year and on course for survival which has been an impossible task for several promoted sides before them.

Farke, however, is well aware that there is a long way to go and knows just how important it is that he keeps this current group together next month.

He told reporters: “I speak to my players every day, we are in close conversations, but I have no plans to give any player away from our group because it’s a tight group.

“I don’t believe with working with a big group because it’s important for togetherness, unity and spirit. We can perhaps improve our group a bit more, but no-one close to the first-team group is to leave.”

That doesn’t mean there won’t be movement in the other direction, though. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are now expected to submit an offer to sign Taty Castellanos from Lazio next month.

Leeds expected to submit Castellanos offer

The 27-year-old striker is looking to leave Lazio in January and the Italian club have reportedly slapped a €30m (£26m) price tag on his signature as a result.

It would be a hefty price for a side like Leeds to pay, but it’s one that the Whites could offer if they are convinced by the Argentine ahead of next month’s transfer window.

Dream Rodon replacement: Leeds are keen to sign "dominant" PL star

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a Premier League centre-back who would be a dream replacement for Joe Rodon.

ByDan Emery

Now that their system suits two strikers, the prospect of a partnership between Castellanos and Calvert-Lewin is also one worth thinking about.

League stats 25/26

Castellanos

Calvert-Lewin

Minutes

692

1,114

Goals

2

8

Expected Goals

2

6.8

Assists

3

0

Whilst Castellanos has struggled in front of goal, scoring just twice in Serie A so far this season, he has impressed on the creative front – setting up three goals for his teammates.

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That’s something Calvert-Lewin would only benefit from. The former Everton man has proved this season that, with service, he will score goals so adding another creator to Farke’s side would certainly do Leeds no harm.

For more than £25m, however, the Whites will be expecting more than a forward with just two goals this season.

Bist ton seals Himachal's place in semi-final

ScorecardFile photo: Robin Bist led a chase of 264 to perfection with his 109 not out•Sivaraman Kitta

Robin Bist’s unbeaten century to beat Punjab in Alur was a good primer of how to overcome top-order trouble as it led Himachal Pradesh to the Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final. Two wickets lost inside the first six overs against a spirited pace attack, with the ball buzzing around both ways, was reason enough to create a few flutters for Himachal. Eventually, they got to the target of 264 with four balls to spare.A chase that was meandering at 77 for 3 in the 22nd over was turned around admirably when Bist found an ally in Rishi Dhawan, who played risk-free cricket through tactful strike rotation. It would be the hallmark of their 102-run fourth-wicket stand that came at a run-a-ball to bring a chase headed nowhere into the realms of possibility.Having the target within striking distance, however, brought a minor mishap. Dhawan mistimed a pull off Siddharth Kaul on 41 and Harbhajan Singh, running backwards from mid-on, held on to a pressure catch. Himachal needed 85 to win off 66 balls, and that was when Bist took over. Having been in accumulator mode early in his innings, he seamlessly brought out the big hitter in him to bring up a maiden List A century and puncture Punjab.The effervescence of Nikhil Gangta, who made a 28-ball 39, further fuelled Himachal’s dream run as victory was achieved with five wickets in hand in the final over. That not only meant a semi-final berth but also consigned Mandeep Singh’s carefully crafted 119 to second best on the day.Things had looked quite different when play started. Punjab lost Pargat Singh in the first over after being sent in on a slightly damp surface. But that was negated by Mandeep; his first boundary came off the seventh ball he faced – an on-the-up extra cover drive – and set the tone for a knock that featured the entire array of his strokes from point to square leg.The unusually harsh mid-morning sun had people ducking for shade and Mandeep too was not spared. He couldn’t hit over the top in front of the wicket, so he brought out the paddles and the delicate dabs to prove he was a multi-dimensional batsman. When he walked back for a 145-ball 119 in the final over, he had put Punjab in a commanding position. Such was his composure that even the loss of Yuvraj Singh (5) to a mistimed pull and Gurkeerat Singh (35) after a steady stand seemed to have no effect on him. He was helped later in the innings by Gitansh Khera (23) and Harbhajan Singh (25).Himachal began like a team that wasn’t sure how to approach the chase in a knockout game. Barinder Sran, the left-arm seamer, who is due to tour Australia in January, bowled a tight first spell of 4-1-11-0. While pace wasn’t his forte, minute deviation off the surface and precision was. The rewards, however, were reaped by Kaul, the other new-ball bowler, who removed Ankush Bains and Prashant Chopra inside six overs. When Paras Dogra skipped down the track, only to bowled after being deceived by Harbhajan’s slider, Himachal were in dire need of momentum at 77 for 3 in the 22nd over.An asking rate that was hovering over seven moved to eight and beyond. Dhawan and Bist milked the bowling but took great care against the slow bowlers, who seemed the bigger threat. The strategy was a sound one and worked quite well until Dhawan’s mistake in the 39th over. Though he couldn’t convert his start into a half-century and beyond, his contribution in a vital stand to go along with his three wickets threw light on the kind of role he could possibly play in Australia.Bist brought up his century in the 47th over, having overcome two close run-out calls. He took it to the last six balls and sealed the deal with some authority, lofting the ball over cover. So it was that Himachal Pradesh took down Punjab, a giant in the Indian domestic circuit, and go into their semi-final clash against Delhi with fresh energy and strong hopes.

Lorgat unconcerned about being replaced

Haroon Lorgat: Will he stay or will he go? © Getty Images

Haroon Lorgat, South Africa’s chief selector, says he has no issues if he is replaced from the post he has held for four years. Cricket South Africa (CSA) hold their AGM on Friday and Lorgat’s position, and possible replacements, is expected to be on the agenda.South Africa reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, but erratic performances culminating in an emphatic loss to Australia elicited criticism back home. But Lorgat said he would not have any hard feelings if he was replaced.”I don’t feel at all like a scapegoat, my term was always going to stop at the World Cup and I would have no issues if I was replaced,” Lorgat told .Media reports have suggested that Lorgat is definately out of the running and provinces have put forward the names of Joubert Strydom, Mustapha Khan and Shafiek Abrahams. Khan and Strydom are current selectorsm, while Abrahams is better known for his media work than the sole ODI he played as an off-spinner in 2000. The ultimate decision, however, will be taken by the board itself.Lorgat criticised reports that he was already a non-starter to retain his position. “It has always been a board appointment although provinces are welcome to make their nominations. I just wish journalists would phone first to check their facts before writing their stories.”Lorgat also hit back at criticism that players like Vernon Philander and Thandi Tshabalala did not get enough opportunity during the tour to Ireland in June.”When we went to Ireland, it was always our plan that each player would play in two of the matches and we achieved that.”Vernon played his two matches and by then I would have been quite happy to send him home with a big green tick next to his name. We saw what we needed to see from him during his two matches.”

Qaiser Ali leads Canada's about turn

Kenya 14 for 4 trail Canada 235 (Qaiser Ali 91*, Ongondo 4-49, Odoyo 3-49) by 221 runs
Scorecard

Qaiser Ali comes off after his gutsy innings © Eddie Norfolk

Canada turned the opening day of their Intercontinental Cup tie against Kenya at Maple Leaf Cricket Club on its head with a remarkable bowling performance in the last hour. At the close, Kenya were in deep trouble on 14 for 4 in reply to Canada’s ponderous 235.Canada had been down and out when they slid to 102 for 7, paying the price for batting on a green and slightly under prepared pitch. Peter Ongondo (4 for 49) and Thomas Odoyo (3 for 49) made life difficult early on, and against a seaming ball, the top order’s technique was found out.But Qaiser Ali, who cracked an unbeaten 91, led a dogged fightback, receiving commendable support from the tail, especially from veteran Pubudu Dassanayake (26) and Ashish Bagai (21). “Qaiser played shots all round the wicket,” beamed Andy Pick, Canada’s coach. “He was harsh on loose deliveries and short ones.”That recovery continued when Kenya were left with a tricky hour before stumps, and they were immediately derailed by fierce opening spells from Henry Osinde (2 for 5) and Umar Bhatti (2 for 9). Bhatti picked up the prized wicket of Steve Tikolo, Kenya’s most experienced and leading batsman.Qaiser admitted he was “very, very happy” with his score. He had “solid support that was most important for the team. I’m a bit sad I did not get the 100, but we got the total we needed. Everybody did a great job. Hopefully tomorrow [Sunday] we can bowl them out.”Pick was equally pleased. “At 14 for 4, what price are the runs we made now. That spell of bowling was top class … not just for Associate members but for proper cricket. You must remember that – that’s how good you are. We had length, speed and control today.”Roger Harper, Kenya’s coach, had less to say. “We didn’t build on our excellent start, so we are behind at the end of the day having lost four wickets. We allowed them to recover to 235. I still feel the team have enough batting to compete for first-innings points.”

Davison will lead Canada in semi-final

John Davison: back in the Canada Cup squad and will captain the semi-final© Getty Images

In a surprising reversal, John Davison has negotiated his release from South Australia to play for Canada in the semi-final of the first ICC Intercontinental Cup trophy against the UAE in Sharjah on November 16-18. Previous reports had suggested that Davison was wary of missing two Pura Cup matches for South Australia, with whom he has been struggling to cement a first-team place.Davison will replace Desmond Chumney, who is injured, and take over the captaincy of Canada – which had been handed to Ian Billcliff. But, if Canada manage to overhaul UAE, Davison will miss the final in Sharjah on November 20-22 as South Australia require him for Pura Cup duty.In the other semi-final, Kenya take on Scotland at Abu Dhabi. Kenya will be led by Rageb Aga in the absence of Hitesh Modi, who is getting married in England on November 19.The four semi-finalists announced their squads today. Scotland’s squad includes Dougie Brown and Gavin Hamilton, both of whom have played one-day internationals for England.Canada squadJohn Davison (capt), Ashif Mulla, Ian Billcliff, Austin Codrington, Haninder Dhillon, Sunil Dhaniram, Don Maxwell, Ashish Patel, Kevin Sandher, Umar Bhatti, Zubin Surkari, Sanjayan Thuraisingam, Jason Patraj.Kenya squadRageb Aga (capt), Rajesh Bhudiya, Ravindu Shah, Lameck Ngoche, Anitkumar Bhudia, Kalpesh Patel, Stephen David Okumu, Tanmay Mishra, Malhar Patel, Jadavji Bhimji, Timothy Muange, Abeed Janmohamed, Brijal Patel.Scotland squadCraig Wright (capt), Douglas Lockhart, Paul Hoffmann, Gavin Hamilton, David Watts, Gregor Maiden, Ryan Watson, Douglas Brown, John Blain, Colin Smith, Cedric English, Kyle Coetzer, Asim Butt.UAE squadMohamed Tauqir (capt), Ali Asad Abbas, Khuram Khan, Syed Maqsood Ahmed, Arshad Ali, Naeemuddin Aslam, Ram Veera Rai, Kashif Hussain Khan Tareen, Muhammad Taskeen Sadique, Rizwan Ahmed, Sameer Zia, Zahid Shah, Muhamad Atif.

Australia stumble to a big total

Australia 2 for 370 (Langer 162,Martyn 97,Lehmann 50,Chandana 4-94) v Sri Lanka Live scorecard

Darren Lehmann batted busily and inventively for his 50 this morning© Getty Images

After the haymaking indulgences of yesterday, this second day at Cairnsbegan with a dull throb. It is often the way of mornings after. Australia’sbatsmen set purposefully about building an imposing total; Sri Lanka’s bowlers sought scratchily to claw back some dignity. By lunch 104 runs had been added and five wickets fiddled out, suggesting the visitors had been significantly more successful in achieving their objectives.In fact, Sri Lanka sloped off at the interval with considerable momentum, having nailed the last four Australian wickets for 20 runs. All four went toUpul Chandana, the legspinner, who was ignored for the first half of yesterday but flighted the ball intelligently today. He was helped out by some needlessly reckless shotmaking.Damien Martyn prodded tentatively forward on 97, made no concerted attemptto hit the ball and was struck on the front pad. Despite the look of derision he gave Aleem Dar, the Pakistan umpire, as he walked off, he appearedcosily leg-before. Simon Katich, a normally conservative beginner, wasbowled for 1, audaciously pulling at and missing a short floater from Chandana.Darren Lehmann, batting busily and inventively for 50, also departed in uncharacteristic fashion. He slogged at yet another well-flighted delivery from Chandana, didn’t quite time it, and was caught metres short of the sightscreen by Kumar Sangakkara. Shane Warne fell soon after for 2, slashing hypnotically and edging to Thilan Samaraweera in the slips. It seemed a terrible waste of resources.Justin Langer was first out for 162, wafting irritably at a wide ball fromLasith Malinga and edging high to Mahela Jayawardene at slip. He had ekedout only three runs this morning and failed to relocate his casual fluencyof yesterday.Martyn, by contrast, picked up precisely where he left off,all straight grace and elegance. Upon entering the nineties he receiveda thorough workout from a rejuvenated Nuwan Zoysa, who had Martyn playingand missing, inside-edging and repeatedly squared up. Martyn was tentativefor a while, then seemed almost to drift off into a slumber. The Australianscan safely be expected to wake up again sometime this afternoon.

SPCL1 Week7 – Bashley cling on for nailbiting draw

Bashley (Rydal) posted a thumping 266-6 declared against Andover, but ended up hanging on to salvage a draw as their ECB Southern Electric Premier League rivals came within two runs of forcing a remarkable win at the BCG.They required five runs for victory off Chris Sketchley’s final over of the day but, with centurion Toby Radford marooned at the non-striker’s end, squeezed only three to finish an agonising 261-8.Radford, having batted superbly, was run out off the last ball for 139.The former Sussex and Middlesex opener had shared a fourth-wicket stand of 150 with Ian Gardner (58) as Andover moved to 238-3 – and to within sight of the Bashley total.But, in a dramatic finish, Sketchley (2-44) nailed Richard Taylor and Simon Mundy, and Bashley somehow hung on."It was a remarkable game," said Bashley skipper Matt King, who dished out special praise to Sketchley."It was a toss up between him or me who bowled that last over, but Sketch said he fancied his chances – and did brilliantly."Bashley earlier recovered from an uncertain 24-2 to post their biggest score of the season, with Western Australian Brad Thompson celebrating his return from a broken finger with a splendid 90.He shared a century stand with Sketchley (47) before Richard Knowles (58) and Andy Neal (27 not out) took Bashley to 262-6 declared off 63 overs.Despite scoring only a modest 162, Bournemouth looked to be heading for a comfortable win at Calmore Sports, when they snatched their hosts ninth wicket.But Charlie Freeston struck out and took Calmore to within six runs of victory before Sean Wallbridge clean bowled tenth-wicket partner Steve Brandes to leave the Totton club 155 all out.Bournemouth lost a host of early wickets but were revived by Geoff Warrington, whose splendid 69 halted five-wicket Eugene Burzler’s inroads into the top order.

West Indies to tour Sri Lanka in November

The West Indies cricket team will arrive in Sri Lanka on the November 1 toplay a three-match Test series and a one-day tri-series, which also involvesZimbabwe.This is the first full tour that the West Indies have made to Sri Lanka. Intheir only other tour since Sri Lanka attained full ICC Test status, in1993, they played just one Test, and one ODI.The West Indies will warm up for the Tests with two three day games, thefirst in Colombo and the second in Matara, before the first Test at GalleInternational Stadium (14-18th November).The second Test Match will be in Kandy (23-27th November) and final Test inColombo (1- 5th December).Straight after the Tests the tri-series with Zimbabwe will commence.Zimababwe will remain in Sri Lanka after the tri-series for a three-Testtour.Full intinerary:Nov 1st: Arrival
Nov 4-6th: Three day warm-up match, Colombo.
Nov 9-11th: Three day warm-up match, Matara.
Nov 14-18th: First Test Match, Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Galle.
Nov 23-27th: Second Test Match, Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Kandy.
December 1-5th: Third Test Match, Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Colombo.
Triangular One Day Tournament (Sri Lanka/West Indies/Zimbabwe).Dec 8th Sri Lanka vs West Indies at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Dec 9th West Indies vs Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Dec 11th Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Dec 14th Sri Lanka vs West Indies at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Dec 15th Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Dec 16th West Indies vs Zimbabwe at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Dec 19th Triangular One Day Tournament final, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Dec 21st Departure

BCCI forms working group to study Lodha verdict

‘IPL will be held with a minimum of eight teams’

The IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla has said the BCCI had accepted the Lodha Committee’s suspension of the owners of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals franchises and there was “no question of any dilly-dallying”.
“The order is accepted, now we are in the process of implementing it,” he told PTI. “For that we have formed a working group and that group has been given six weeks’ time to submit its recommendations.”
Shukla also said the IPL would have at least eight sides.
“IPL will be held with a minimum of eight teams. There will be no change in that. How we will proceed will be recommended by the working group, which will have discussions with all the stakeholders like the sponsors, broadcasters, franchisees and state associations. The procedures that we adopt will therefore be approved by our legal experts, that is why we need some time to give the recommendations.”
Shukla said the group would explore several options to ensure IPL 2016 wasn’t severely affected by a shortfall of teams.
“There is a group which believes that a BCCI-appointed management team can run CSK and RR for a period of two years. Credible people can be selected for that job so that the question of conflict of interest does not arise. Another option is that we invite new bids for the two teams to ensure that the league is an eight-team affair. After two years when CSK and RR complete their suspension period, we will have 10 teams. We will consider all the options.”

The BCCI has formed a working group to study the Lodha panel’s verdict relating to the IPL 2013 corruption scandal and instructed it to present its findings in six weeks. The group comprises* IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry and IPL governing council member Sourav Ganguly, and will be assisted by Ushanath Banerjee, the board’s legal counsel.The board’s response came after an IPL governing council meeting in Mumbai on Sunday, following the Lodha committee decision to suspend the owners of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals franchises earlier this week.The BCCI press release after the meeting stated the working group would “study this verdict, in consultation with all our key advisors and explore all the possible measures to be adopted, with an objective to protect the interests of all the stakeholders involved.”The release further stated: “This group will work within a time bound period of six weeks and report their recommendations to the IPL GC, which will deliberate and share their views with the working committee of the BCCI, for further action.”The general tone of the meeting was to explore the process of inviting bids for two new franchises and the possibility of a 10-team IPL after two years.It is understood that most of the governing council members who spoke during the hour-long meeting were of the opinion that the BCCI should start the procedure of inviting tenders for the new teams for a longer duration to ensure that the IPL’s eight-team format is maintained over the next two years.The committee was also briefed about a suggestion from former BCCI treasurer and joint secretary MP Pandove, over the addition of two teams and the likelihood of a ten-team IPL from 2018. Pandove confirmed to ESPNcricinfo he had “made such a suggestion to the secretary [Thakur] since I think that’s the most viable option for now”.Some members also cited the examples of the 2011 and 2012 IPL seasons – which were played with ten and nine teams respectively – and said if the two teams do return to the fold after serving the two-year suspension, the IPL could be played with ten teams.Sundar Raman, the IPL’s chief operating officer, reportedly said a ten-team IPL could be a logistical nightmare, but a former BCCI office bearer responded by saying Raman should not term the idea unworkable as he was an integral part of IPL’s earlier expansion.It is understood that the issue of the termination of the suspended teams’ franchise agreements was discussed, but no direct demand was made. The council was assured that the five-member working group will consider all options.Shukla’s suggestion of the BCCI independently running the two suspended franchises for two years was presented to the committee and was backed by a current office bearer who proposed that leading financial solutions firms could be involved in running the teams on the board’s behalf.A former cricketer on the governing council – who had urged the BCCI not to leave the players who contributed to the IPL brand in a lurch – reportedly said that individuals like Rahul Dravid [Rajasthan Royals mentor] and MS Dhoni [captain, Chennai Super Kings] are capable of running teams, if required, without an outsider’s assistance.The former office bearer then said Dhoni – whose comments about Gurunath Meiyappan to the Mudgal probe panel came under scrutiny – cannot be entrusted with such a responsibility. Thakur is then understood to have informed the house that the legal experts have advised that the board’s involvement in running two teams is not feasible.Thakur is also believed to have hinted at strict action against all the guilty entities.July 20, 3.00pm *This piece was amended to reflect the BCCI’s announcement of the Working Group’s composition

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