Portuguese FA imposes 30-day ban and 700 Portuguese real fine on Cristiano Ronaldo

The Indian squad for the series of Test matches against New Zealand, which begins on November 19, has been announced. The team includes experienced and young players under the leadership of Shubman Gill, but the left-arm spinner Manav Sutara was left off the list despite an impressive performance.

Questions arise as to why this spinner, who took 16 wickets during his visit to Sri Lanka and impressed with his play, was not given a chance. Discussions surrounding the selection concern not only who made the team but also whether players demonstrating outstanding results are given sufficient opportunities to prove their worth in overseas tours. Manav Sutara's case fuels this debate.

Manav Sutara demonstrated his potential by taking 16 wickets during his trip to Sri Lanka. For a spinner, consistently taking wickets in a foreign tour indicates skill, control, and the ability to adapt to playing conditions. The absence of this player in the squad for the matches in New Zealand casts doubt on the selection committee's decisions.

Sutara is a traditional left-arm spinner. His strength lies not only in generating spin but also in forcing batsmen into errors by controlling the length of his delivery. In Test cricket, the value of such a bowler increases because getting a player out requires patience, discipline, and constant pressure.

In New Zealand, it is expected that fast bowlers will be aided by swing and movement in the air. Nevertheless, as the match progresses and pitch conditions change, the role of spinners can also transform. Under such circumstances, a disciplined traditional spinner could have been an additional option for the team.

Manav Sutara's available career data also points to his potential. According to the presented statistics, he has taken 23 wickets in three Test matches. His average is 17.34, and his economy rate is 2.84. During this period, he took five wickets in one innings twice and 10 wickets once.

These figures are impressive for any bowler. However, when assessing prospects in foreign conditions, the opponent, pitch condition, and level of the match must be taken into account. Nevertheless, ignoring his performance of 16 wickets in Sri Lanka sparks much discussion.

The Indian squad for the matches in New Zealand includes spin options in Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. Jadeja is known for his experience and versatility, Kuldeep is a wrist spinner, and Sundar can contribute with both off-spin and batting.

Thus, the selection committee faced a choice between combinations of players with different skills. Sutara's absence from the squad may be related to this choice. However, there is no information here regarding any specific reasons for his exclusion by the selection committee.

Nevertheless, the question remains: could the team have gained more bowling diversity by including a traditional spinner like Sutara? This is especially relevant for long series where pitch characteristics can change across different games.

One of the main criticisms of Sutara's selection relates to the Indian team's strategy. Critics argue that the team management is too focused on strengthening the batting side, whereas attention should also be paid to bowling options that can change the course of the match in foreign conditions.

In Test cricket, simply scoring big runs is not enough. It is crucial to take 20 wickets from the opponent. This requires spinners capable of sustaining long spells and constantly putting pressure on batsmen, combined with fast bowlers.

This does not mean that including Manav Sutara would guarantee victory. However, considering his performance, he could have been considered in the selection process. Lack of opportunities for consistent participation even after good play can be disappointing for any rising player.

The Test matches against New Zealand start on November 19. Shubman Gill will captain the team, and K.L. Rahul will serve as vice-captain. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel have been chosen as wicket-keepers. Pant's availability depends on medical clearance.

The team also includes fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Dip, and Prasidh Krishna. Now it remains to see what bowling combination the Indian team will choose on the field and how important the role of spinners will be.

Manav Sutara is currently outside the squad, but his performance of 16 wickets in Sri Lanka undoubtedly sparks discussions about selection. The question is not just whether to give the player a chance, but whether players in Indian cricket are provided with sufficient opportunities to advance based on their results.

South African athletics is on the cusp of a new bright period, supported by a stream of young talents regularly winning medals at junior and senior championships, as well as setting new world records.

However, while this promising generation establishes itself, the Athletics South Africa (ASA) faces the threat of international isolation. The root of this problem lies in the suspension of President James Moloi's powers and systemic management failures that have led to a harsh ultimatum from World Athletics.

This mandate could halt the development of athletics in the country before the current momentum gains traction. The contrast between track results and leadership conduct could not have been more evident.

The historic silver medal in the 4x100m race at the Paris Olympics, secured by young athlete Bayanda Walaza and veteran participant Akani Simbin, marked the arrival of a new powerful era in South African sprinting. Walaza subsequently demonstrated his world-class level by winning double gold in the 100m and 200m races at the World Athletics Junior Championships in Lima.

Continuing to gain momentum, middle-distance specialist Sinesifo Dambile and outstanding 400m runner Zakiti Nene continue to deliver world-class performances on the international stage. In middle distances, 800m indoor world champion Prudence Sekgodiso has firmly established herself among the global elite. On track distances, Tyla Kavanagh recently set a record in Romania, running 30:50 and breaking the national record in the 10km, becoming the first South African woman to run under 31 minutes.

Failures in Administrative Management

Nevertheless, this emerging era is overshadowed by administrative failures. Following an official directive from Monaco, World Athletics demanded the immediate removal of Moloi and presented a nine-month plan for reforming the federation's statutes.

Crucially, the global body warned that failure to implement these fundamental governance reforms within six months would lead to temporary suspension under Article 13. Article 13 of the World Athletics Statutes grants the global governing body the right to suspend member federations that fail to adhere to proper governance, integrity, or constitutional standards.

Suspension under Article 13 voids the federation's international rights, prohibiting its athletes from competing, earning ranking points, or setting recognized records. If the suspension is activated, the consequences for South African athletics will be immediate and catastrophic.

The ban will deprive local athletes of the right to national selection, representing the flag, recognition of official records, and world ranking points. It will exclude South Africa's top talents from the World Athletics Championships in Beijing in 2027 and freeze their path to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

At the center of the dispute is Moloi, who was suspended in October 2025 following a forensic audit conducted by Forvis Mazars, one of the leading global auditing and consulting networks. The audit revealed systematic misuse of the ASA corporate credit card in 399 transactions between May 2023 and April 2024.

The audit detailed over 300,000 rands in unauthorized expenses and breaches of monthly limits in nine out of twelve months, citing purchases of personal clothing, ATM cash withdrawals, and unexplained hospitality receipts. The investigation, led by the head of South African athletics Zahele Dlamini, followed independent disciplinary hearings chaired by former judge Bashir Wagla, which found Moloi guilty of financial misconduct and recommended his immediate removal.

World Athletics subsequently approved the findings of the Wagla commission, instructing ASA to immediately dismiss Moloi. In addition to the president's removal, the nine-month plan requires ASA to rewrite its statutes, restore decision-making powers to its High Council, eliminate provincial voting conflicts, establish strict term limits, and mandate that the council include representatives from both women and active athletes.

While athletes continue to usher in a new bright era through dedicated training and world-class performances, management issues must not be allowed to derail their progress. The ASA Executive Committee has a clear duty to act decisively and fully implement the required reforms.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28 and will be held in Kochi. This trading session will feature 146 players, including Indian batsman Ji Kamalini, all-rounder Sneha Rana, Australian captain Sophie Molinyue, and Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu.

Despite the large number of candidates, franchises only have 27 spots available to acquire players. Among the players in the auction pool are 119 Indian athletes, of whom 22 are capped and 97 are uncapped. Twenty free slots are reserved for local players, while the list of international players includes 27 names, including six athletes from associate nations. Seven general slots have been allocated for foreigners, comprising 14 capped and 13 uncapped players.

The highest base price at the auction is set at 50 thousand rupees and applies only to two players: Sophie Dunkley from England and Sophie Molinyue from Australia. Molinyue was previously released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Dunkley last played in WPL for the Gujarat Giants in 2024.

Ji Kamalini, released by Mumbai Indians, registered her participation with a base price of 40 thousand rupees. Kiran Navgire, Heather Graham, and Jess Johnson from Australia also fall into this category.

A total of 30 players registered their participation with a base price of 30 thousand rupees. These include Sneha Rana, released from Delhi Capitals, and Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu. Furthermore, only three players chose the category with a base price of 20 thousand rupees, while the remaining 107 players have a base price of 10 thousand rupees.

The UP Warriors team may prove to be the most active at the auction, as the franchise has released the largest number of players—nine. These include names such as Diendra Dottin, Chloe Troin, and Kiran Navgire. The team also traded Tara Norris to Mumbai Indians for 10 thousand rupees. UP Warriors will enter the auction with the largest budget of 3.75 crore rupees and the highest number of free slots. Therefore, the franchise's attention will be focused on players who can help strengthen the team and fill its vacant positions.