Tag Futebol

There are few joys in life greater than the first trip back to the ballpark at the start of baseball season.

The sights and sounds of the ballpark have the ability to immediately bring you back to summers long gone by. The crack of the bat. The taste of that first hot dog. The seventh inning stretch. The emotional support bunny.

Okay, that last one might not be a staple for all baseball fans, but it sure was for those in attendance in San Francisco over the weekend when the Giants hosted the Seattle Mariners.

Early in the game, cameras showed one fan in the stands holding what was described as an emotional support rabbit. It was a very big rabbit.

“Don’t you just want to give it a hug?” asked commentator Mike Krukow. “What’s softer than rabbit fur?”

To answer your questions in order Mike, 1) yes, 2) nothing.

Krukow’s delight with the rabbit did not stop there, and was wholesomely endearing.

"Whoever discovered the beauty of the therapy animal is—a special place in Heaven for,” he said. “It is remarkable what animals can do to relieve anxiety and depression."

Right again, Kruk.

For those not in the know (I certainly wasn’t), the rabbit in question is named Alex the Great, and is something of a cultural icon in the Bay Area.

As one fan posted on social media, “We loveeee Alex the therapy rabbit.”

It wasn’t even the first time Alex the Great had delighted fans at Oracle Park, having become a similar sensation back in 2021.

More bunnies at baseball games, please.

Clinical home performance sees Fire succumb to their heaviest defeat of the women’s competition

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 07-Aug-2025Northern Superchargers 141 for 4 (Armitage 34*, Wareham 29*, Mathews 2-18) beat Welsh Fire 94 (Beaumont 36, Wareham 2-14) by 47 runsNorthern Superchargers got their campaign in The Hundred off to the perfect start with a comprehensive win over Welsh Fire at Headingley.Under the new leadership of former England Women’s Head Coach Lisa Keightley, Superchargers batted first and made 141 for 4. In reply, Tammy Beaumont’s Welsh Fire were bowled out for just 94, much to the delight of the 7,208 Superchargers fans in attendance.The team in purple have kept all three of their Australian overseas stars, and there were runs for both Annabel Sutherland (28) and Georgia Wareham (29*), but it was captain Hollie Armitage who top-scored, with an unbeaten 34.Welsh Fire have enjoyed two successful seasons in The Hundred, with visits to The Eliminator and The Final to their name across the last two years, and much of their success has been down to their batting – but when Sophia Dunkley and Hayley Matthews found themselves back in the pavilion with the score still in single figures, they faced an uphill task.Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss tried to undo the damage but the home side possess a balanced attack and they utilised it well, chipping away throughout Fire’s reply to maintain control at all times. It was in the end an easy win, spinners Linsey Smith and Wareham snaffling two wickets apiece, with a couple also for Grace Ballinger.Welsh Fire will have the opportunity to turn it around very quickly, hosting their first game in Cardiff on Saturday. For Superchargers it’s a visit to Trent Rockets on Sunday, where they’ll look to go two from two.Meerkat Match Hero Wareham said: “It felt like a really good hit out for the girls, it felt like we were really clinical in all facets which showed up on the scoreboard for us.”I think [when batting with Hollie Armitage] it was just about being really calm at the time, and knowing that there were actually quite a few balls left. It’s always pretty calm out there with Hollie, she keeps things pretty level. As a team we’re talking about taking the game on, and being brave through different phases of the game, which I think all the batters did really well today.”With the ball, we wanted to keep the stumps in play as much as we possibly could. The change of pace worked really well for Welsh Fire so we took that into play for us, as well, and as it showed we hit the stumps as often as we could.”

Leroy Sane has returned to the Germany squad for the final World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, with Julian Nagelsmann also handing a shock first senior call-up to Koln’s breakout talent Said El Mala. The national coach says Sane has “earned his nomination” after previously casting doubt on his future with the national team due to his summer transfer to Galatasaray.

• Sane returns after Nagelsmann warning

  Nagelsmann has named his 25-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, with several notable selections reflecting both immediate competitive needs and long-term national team planning.

  The high-profile return is Gala winger Sane, who has been recalled for the first time since his summer transfer from Bayern to Galatasaray. Sane, who has contributed three goals and three assists in 14 matches for Galatasaray, last played for the national team in June and Nagelsmann warned he would need to excel after trading the Bundesliga for the Super Lig, declaring it a "worse league".

  After confirming the 29-year-old's return on Thursday, Nagelsmann explained his decision at a press conference, saying: “I’ve been in constant and very good communication with Leroy Sane; he earned his nomination with strong performances in the Champions League and the Super Lig.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  El Mala gets the nod amid Koln rise

  The most eye-catching decision from Nagelsmann is the inclusion of 19-year-old Koln star El Mala. The winger has enjoyed a meteoric rise since Koln’s promotion, scoring four goals in nine Bundesliga games, many of them decisive impacts from the bench. Despite having only two league starts, Nagelsmann believes El Mala’s dynamism and unpredictability can add a new dimension to Germany’s attacking options.

  "Said El Mala should show his true colors with us, bringing all his carefree and lighthearted style," the coach said. "We’re keeping an eye on the talents from our U21 team and, in consultation with [U21s coach] Toni Di Salvo, want to give them the opportunity to showcase their skills with the senior national team from time to time."

  In contrast, several players miss out, including Robert Andrich, Robin Koch, Angelo Stiller and Maximilian Beier, while multiple established first-teamers, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Antonio Rudiger, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug, remain unavailable due to injury.

• Injuries, selection battles and competition for spots ahead of 2026

  Nagelsmann continues to manage a delicate balance between high-stakes results and squad development. The absences of Musiala, Havertz, Fullkrug and Rudiger have forced tactical reevaluation in every department, creativity, goalscoring, and defensive leadership.

  Meanwhile, even players showing progress at club level have been held back from selection, most notably Bayern's sensation Lennart Karl, who has been widely praised for his maturity and composure since breaking into the first team this season. The 17-year-old wonderkid has featured regularly under Kompany in Bayern’s revamped midfield setup, demonstrating a strong passing range, tactical awareness, and the willingness to play through pressure. His development has been seen as one of the bright spots in Bayern’s early season, where he also scored stunners at the highest-level.

  One subplot also emerging is competition for attacking roles, with Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade expected to shoulder responsibility across the front line. Jonathan Burkardt, in strong domestic form, has another opportunity to secure a longer-term place.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Germany still fighting for World Cup spot

  Germany currently lead Group A level on points with Slovakia, meaning these final fixtures will likely determine who qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup.

  Nagelsmann's team travel to Luxembourg on November 14, before facing Slovakia in Leipzig on November 17 in what is likely the deciding fixture for the group. Two wins guarantee automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while finishing second would send them into the playoff route, though Germany are already guaranteed a playoff spot through the Nations League.

  For Sane, these games represent the chance to re-establish himself as a crucial starter ahead of the Euros-to-World Cup cycle transition. For El Mala, they represent something simpler, a platform to prove he belongs, and Nagelsmann has made his intentions clear that the door is open, but every position must be earned.

Arsenal will want to spend money in the January transfer window and could now sell one of their big-name assets to bankroll some mid-season incomings for Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta looks to cope with Martin Odegaard's Arsenal absence

Martin Odegaard’s latest injury blow wasn’t ideal for Arsenal, but they managed to cope without their club captain as the North Londoners sealed another vital win against Fulham this evening.

Arteta has a few players capable of replicating the Norwegian’s impact in the engine room. Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze are both thriving this campaign in their respective roles, for instance, while youngster Ethan Nwaneri has a chance to get a lot more minutes in Odegaard’s absence.

That being said, Odegaard will be a miss, and it took yet another dead-ball situation for Arsenal to grind out that narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

Following his immediate setback after recovering from a shoulder problem, Arteta praised his mental strength in the face of another frustrating blow.

Ultimately, injuries are part of football and Arsenal know more than most about the impact they can have, as seen with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz being long-term absentees.

Some would argue the duo being absent for large periods last season cost the Gunners a tilt at the Premier League title, though they appear to be in the race for the long haul this time around and excitement is brewing over what they could achieve.

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Even then, there could need to be squad surgery in January to ensure Arteta has the right balance to bring a first league crown back to North London since 2004, which could now lead to an intriguing departure.

Arsenal in talks over selling Gabriel Jesus

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal could sell striker Jesus to Flamengo, and the Brazilian side have “initiated talks” over a potential deal that could net the Gunners in the region of £26 million.

Still, the price-tag on the Brazil international could prove to be an obstacle in negotiations, not to mention his £265,000-per-week salary, albeit Arteta has given himself plenty of time to work out a formula after putting the experienced forward up for sale ahead of the January window.

Gabriel Jesus and his goalscoring record at Arsenal

Appearances

96

Goals

26

Assists

20

There is scope for a loan or permanent exit, and Jesus is believed to be considering the prospect of a fresh start in South America with the hope of playing his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Of course, the former Manchester City man hasn’t featured since tearing his cruciate ligament at the beginning of 2025, so it would make sense for Arsenal to recoup what they can as he works his way back to full fitness.

Viktor Gyokeres will thrive in time and Havertz is soon to return from injury, creating a natural set of circumstances where an exit for Jesus could suit all parties.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has made a surprise decision ahead of this weekend’s trip to Brentford, by calling up a youngster who struggled in League Two to first-team training.

Man Utd set to travel to Brentford on Saturday

Man United will be looking to make it three wins from their last four Premier League games this weekend, when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on a Brentford side that are without a win in their last three top-flight outings.

Amorim will be pleased his side managed to return to winning ways against Chelsea last time out, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford, but it wasn’t exactly a vintage performance, with United clinging on at the end, despite racing into a two-goal advantage after Robert Sanchez’s red card.

As such, it is probably too early to claim the victory against the Blues could be a turning point in the season, and Amorim is continuing to look at ways in which he can improve his side.

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As relayed by The Peoples Person, the Man United boss has called a youngster up to first-team training ahead of the trip to Brentford this weekend, with an official statement reading: “Young midfielder Sam Mather was also part of the group that worked in pleasant conditions on Tuesday, in stark contrast to the torrential rain that affected last weekend’s win.”

Mather is a natural winger, who is also able to play in attacking midfield, and with Amorim arguably lacking options in wide areas after Alejandro Garnacho’s departure, the 21-year-old is now training with the first-team, in what has to be considered a surprising development.

The winger came very close to leaving the Red Devils in the summer transfer window, after failing to make an impact on loan at League Two side Tranmere Rovers last season, but he now has a golden opportunity to prove himself ahead of the January transfer window.

Mather faces difficult path to save his Man Utd career

In all honesty, it seems very unlikely that the Salford-born ace will be able to save his Man United career at this stage, given that he struggled during a loan spell with Tranmere last season, appearing for just four minutes across two League Two appearances.

There are question marks over Amad Diallo’s performances this season, with YouTuber Stephen Howson calling the winger into question after the 2-1 victory against Chelsea last weekend.

However, Matheus Cunha is now back from injury, and Bryan Mbeumo has made a solid start to life at Old Trafford, starting all five Premier League games and opening his account in the 3-2 victory against Burnley earlier this month.

As a result, Mather is unlikely to be able to force his way into Amorim’s plans, and the call-up to first-team training is unlikely to be a sign the United academy product will be receiving minutes anytime soon.

The tour comprises three one-day games and two four-dayers

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2025Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will captain New Zealand A on their upcoming tour of Bangladesh with the squad also featuring recent debutants Rhys Mariu and Muhammad Abbas.Kelly will lead the one-day side which will be play three 50-over matches before handing over to Carter for the two four-day games.Kelly, Mariu and Abbas all made their debuts against Pakistan in the series which finished earlier this month. Allrounder Abbas was particularly eye-catching with the fastest ODI fifty on debut from 24 balls. Kelly and Mariu were the two leading run-scorers in the Plunket Shield.Carter, 32, impressed on New Zealand A’s last visit to the subcontinent, in India during 2022, averaging 60.40 and scoring two centuries, including a career-best 197.Wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, who made an unbeaten 99 against Pakistan in Hamilton, is part of the squad alongside allrounder Josh Clarkson.The pace attack also features players with international experience in Zak Foulkes and Ben Lister. Legspinner Adi Ashok, who was in the squad against Pakistan having previously played in 2023, has also been included.”For several players it will be their first time experiencing subcontinent conditions, which will be a great challenge and opportunity to further their skillsets,” Bob Carter, who will coach the side, said.The one-day games take place on May 5, 7 and 10 in Sylhet followed by the first four-game from May 14-17 at the same venue before the second takes place in Dhaka from May 21-24.New Zealand A squad vs Bangladesh AMuhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Joe Carter (red-ball captain), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Nick Kelly (white-ball captain), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Dale Phillips

Nico Schlotterbeck has been hailed as Borussia Dortmund's version of Thomas Muller, with Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus tipping the German centre-back for a talismanic role in their bid to challenge for the Bundesliga title. Schlotterbeck’s return from injury has already stabilised the defence, and Dortmund’s bright start to the season suggests they are building a strong platform around their emerging leader.

Schlotterbeck – Dortmund’s key defensive leader

Dortmund’s recent performances have highlighted the importance of having strong, consistent figures at the back, and Schlotterbeck has emerged as a vital component. The German centre-back has recovered from a serious meniscus injury sustained in April, returning to full 90-minute action in their last two Bundesliga games. As Matthaus writes in his latest column in “Schlotterbeck is to BVB what Thomas Muller was to Bayern. He's a player with a strong mentality that Dortmund needs in the future and wants to extend his contract. The German national team defender brings the necessary attitude and quality and is simply a role model for the team. I'm not surprised that he's coming back and performing immediately.”

AdvertisementAFPMatthaus’ endorsement for German star

The praise from the Bayern great underscores the strategic importance of retaining Schlotterbeck. By likening him to Muller, Matthaus emphasises Schlotterbeck’s ability to influence games beyond pure defensive metrics. Matthaus further contextualises Dortmund’s challenge against Bayern in Bundesliga, noting: “Ultimately, of course, it's largely up to Bayern themselves to decide who will win the German championship. If Munich continues to play like this, things will be very difficult for Dortmund, even though they're performing just as well as the German record champions in their own way.”

Dortmund’s defensive stability key to bright start under Kovac

Niko Kovac's team have kept clean sheets in both Bundesliga games since Schlotterbeck returned to the starting XI, reflecting both his individual quality and the structure he brings to the backline. His high tackling success rate and ability to win possession under pressure make him a defensive anchor. The 25-year-old has previously played a key role in the club’s Champions League campaigns, including reaching the final alongside Mats Hummels. Dortmund remain unbeaten in 13 competitive matches this season, and Schlotterbeck’s presence is central to their ambition to compete with Bayern for the Bundesliga title and maintain European credibility.

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Getty ImagesRole for Germany and upcoming Dortmund challenges

Schlotterbeck’s form at Dortmund has placed him in contention for a starting role with the German national team, especially with aging or regressing defenders like Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger. Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that Schlotterbeck will feature in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. Retaining Schlotterbeck ensures continuity and leadership for both club and country, reinforcing Dortmund’s defensive backbone ahead of major international competitions.

Dortmund are set to host Athletic Club following a dramatic 4-4 draw against Juventus in the Champions League, showcasing both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. Maintaining Schlotterbeck in the squad will be key to weathering challenging fixtures in Europe and domestically. Dortmund also face more group-stage matches, including encounters with Copenhagen, Manchester City, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham, and Inter Milan. With Bayern leading the Bundesliga by two points, Dortmund’s ability to keep their defensive core intact, led by Schlotterbeck, could prove crucial in challenging for the title while pursuing deep European runs.

West Ham United have now made firm contact over a late swoop for an “incredible” defender, with Nayef Aguerd seemingly heading for the exit door.

West Ham eyeing replacements for Marseille-bound Aguerd

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, there were rumours that Aguerd and Lucas Paqueta wouldn’t be travelling to the City Ground, with both players looking for the exit door on transfer deadline day.

However, Paqueta re-affirmed his commitment to the club after scoring the second goal in the shock 3-0 triumph, with his celebration indicating the Brazilian has no plans to leave anytime soon.

Aguerd, on the other hand, was not involved, with the Moroccan now on the brink of completing a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille.

Consequently, the Hammers will have to bring in a replacement today, and they have now made a late swoop to sign Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, according to a report from The Sun.

The report states West Ham have now made firm inquiries over a deal for Cresswell, who is now more likely to join than Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, given that the Saints are set to hold out for over £20m for the Englishman.

The Toulouse centre-back, on the other hand, is valued at £13m plus bonuses, and the Irons may choose to cough up that amount for his services before the transfer window closes at 7pm this evening.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Aug 31, 2025 "Incredible" Cresswell could be ideal Aguerd replacement

Lauded as “incredible” by scout Jacek Kulig, the 23-year old has performed remarkably well for Toulouse over the past year, most importantly impressing from a defensive point of view, while also proving himself as a real threat at the opposite end of the pitch.

Statistic

Average per 90

Blocks

1.61 (83rd percentile)

Clearances

6.63 (88th percentile)

Aerials won

3.26 (91st percentile)

Non-penalty goals

0.14 (97th percentile)

The Englishman has outperformed Aguerd across all of those metrics, with the Morocco international averaging 1.21 blocks per 90, 4.66 clearances, 2.87 aerials won and failing to score a single goal.

As such, the Preston-born defender could be a real upgrade on the 29-year-old in the heart of the West Ham defence, and a £13m transfer fee seems reasonable, given the level of his recent performances.

The only concern over signing Cresswell will be the fact he failed to make the cut at Leeds United, making just 14 senior appearances for the club, but the centre-back has clearly grown as a player since then, having made 31 outings for Toulouse in Ligue 1 last term.

The former captain made his first-class debut aged 17, scored 28 Test centuries and led Australia to 2015 ODI World Cup

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2025

Former captain Michael Clarke has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of FameClarke, 43, accepted the honour on Thursday, nearly a decade after he closed the chapter on his remarkable playing career. He is the 64th inductee, with two further members to be named this season.Making his first-class debut for New South Wales at 17, Clarke captained Australia to victory in the 2015 ODI World Cup and led the side across 47 of his 115 Tests.Overall, Clarke scored 8643 Test runs, putting him sixth on Australia’s all-time list, and 7981 in ODIs where he stands fourth. His tally of 28 Test centuries also leaves puts him sixth on that list.Having impressed early in his ODI career – he wasn’t dismissed in his first three innings – Clarke burst onto the Test scene during Australia’s 2004 tour of India, crowned the player of the match in Bengaluru after scoring 151 on debut.After being dropped in late 2005, Clarke returned a even more formidable player. He became the sixth Australian to score a Test triple-century after posting an unbeaten 329 against India at the SCG in the 2011-12 series.He followed up his SCG performance with a double century in the fourth Test against India, before notching two further double centuries against South Africa the following season.Other standout innings included the 151 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2011 (from a total of 284) in the game Australia were later dismissed for 47, his 161 at the same venue in 2014 when he defied a broken shoulder to set up a victory that would take Australia to No. 1 in the world and the hugely emotional 128 against India at Adelaide in 2014 shortly after the death of the Phillip Hughes in what would prove his final home Test.Michael Clarke was prolific in the period from 2012 to 2014•Getty Images

It had been in 2011, after England won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia, that Clarke succeeded Ricky Ponting as captain. At his peak, he was ranked the best batter in the world. He was also at the helm for the Ashes whitewash in 2013-14 and retired at the end of the lost 2015 campaign in England.”To be able to sit along so many wonderful players, idols, role models growing up as a kid and looking up to is something I’m honoured by,” Clarke said. “Retirement does a lot of things to you. Through stages of watching cricket now, you miss parts.”When you play at the highest level, people talk about your international career but for me, it started at six years of age. I retired at 34 so it was my life. It’s still a part of my life.”Cricket – it’s probably so similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 and then lift the bat, and then you walk out to field, field in slip and drop a catch second ball of the game.”Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King praised Clarke as a player who “defined his generation”.”Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career started at just 17 at the SCG – the place where many of his highlights occurred, including a Test triple century against India in 2012,” King said.”Michael’s career will forever be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside those at the upper echelon of our game.”Clarke also proved capable as a left-arm spinner. It was his spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs in 2008 against India that helped Australia retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and extend their winning streak to a record-equaling 16 Tests. In his debut series against India he had also taken 6 for 9 in Mumbai.

He has not captained a state team at senior level before, and is also working on his bowling to become a more rounded cricketer

Shashank Kishore20-Dec-2024Rinku Singh has been appointed Uttar Pradesh captain for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s 50-over domestic competition, beginning on December 21. He takes over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who led UP at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that finished last week, where they lost to Delhi in the quarter-final.It’s the first time that Rinku will captain a state team at the senior level. Earlier this year, he led Meerut Mavericks to the UPT20 League title, scoring 210 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 161.54 largely as a finisher.”It was a big opportunity for me to lead Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, and I am happy that I could deliver,” Rinku said ahead of their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener. “I really enjoyed captaincy as it allowed me to learn many things.”I did try my hand at bowling [offspin] too at the UPT20 league. Present-day cricket demands a full package – a cricketer who can bat, bowl and field. Now I am focusing on my bowling too. As captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have got a bigger role to play, and I’m ready for this.”Rinku’s promotion in the UP team comes at a time when Kolkata Knight Riders, his IPL franchise, are mulling their captaincy options ahead of IPL 2025. He has been part of the KKR setup since 2018, and was retained ahead of the mega auction in November, along with Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy and Ramandeep Singh.”I am not thinking too much about the captaincy of KKR in the new IPL season,” Rinku said. “I am focused on my plans for Uttar Pradesh, as I want my team to regain the trophy we had won for the first time in 2015-16.”The Vijay Hazare Trophy will help give the national selectors insight on players when they pick India’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy in February. While Rinku has become a regular for India in T20Is, he has so far played just two ODIs, having made his debut a year ago in South Africa.Rinku’s overall List A numbers are impressive. He has scored 1899 runs in 52 innings at an average of 48.69, and has a strike rate of 94.8, with one hundred and 17 half-centuries. Rinku, though, isn’t looking at the Vijay Hazare Trophy as an India audition.”I believe in God,” he said. “I didn’t even think of being part of team India when I struck five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That turned out to be the biggest game changer in my life. Even now I feel that if God has decided something for me, I will get that surely. But at the same time, I also need to work hard on my job.”UP begin their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir on December 21, and then have games against Mizoram (December 23), Tamil Nadu (December 26), Chhattisgarh (December 28), Chandigarh (December 31) and Vidarbha (January 3).