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On what was a hugely disappointing day for Celtic, Hyun-jun Yang was one of the few players who came away with credit after Saturday’s loss at Parkhead, which resulted in Wilfried Nancy’s dismissal.

The South Korea international scored his second goal of the season in the Scottish Premiership with a brilliant run and thumping finish to put his side 1-0 up.

Unfortunately, the rest of the team were unable to get the game over the line, as they coughed up three cheap goals in the second half to lose 3-1 to their rivals.

Despite that stunning goal, there should still be a question mark over his place in the starting line-up because he has only produced two goals and no assists in the league this season, per Sofascore.

Celtic in talks to sign new winger

Yang’s spot in the side could come under increased pressure amid claims that the club are in the market to sign a player in his position this month.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to Herald Scotland journalist Josh McCafferty, Celtic are interested in a deal to sign Red Bull Bragantino winger Ignacio Laquintana in the January transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Hoops have “held talks” with the Brazilian side over a potential deal for the right winger, as they look to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

McCafferty adds that they could agree an initial loan until the end of the 2025/26 campaign for the attacker, with an option to make it permanent in the summer transfer window.

He also reveals that Laquintana is “keen to join Celtic” before the end of the current window, which suggests that personal terms will not be much of an issue for the club.

Why Celtic should sign Laquintana in January

The Hoops should push to get this deal over the line in the days to come because he has the potential to arrive at Parkhead as an even better option than Yang, despite the South Korean star’s stunning goal on Saturday.

As aforementioned, the current Celtic winger has not offered enough in the final third on a consistent basis to say that he deserves to start week-in-week-out in the wing-back role, with only two goal contributions to his name heading into the second half of the league season.

Laquintana, however, has shown real promise in his time with Red Bull Bragantino and could be an exciting addition to the squad, as a winger who has the potential to offer more quality than Yang has so far this season.

Sebastian Tounekti, James Forrest, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Yang have all failed to deliver more than two goals or two assists in the Premiership this term, per WhoScored, whilst Laquintana managed more than two goals and more than two assists on his own in the Brasileiro in 2025.

The Uruguay international, who has scored one goal in two caps for his nation, produced four goals and three assists in 23 appearances in the league for Bragantino last year, per Sofascore.

Stats

Laquintana (2025 Brasileiro)

Yang (25/26 SPL)

Appearances

23

14

Goals

4

2

Big chances missed

1

6

Big chances created

4

1

Assists

3

0

Cross accuracy

16%

12%

Possession lost per game

6.7x

9.9x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Laquintana’s form last year suggests that he has the quality to provide a greater threat than Yang at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops, if he can carry his form over to Scottish football.

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The 26-year-old forward is a more efficient finisher, given his superior goals to ‘big chances’ missed rate, and has more creativity to offer, with three times as many ‘big chances’ created in less than twice as many appearances.

Therefore, he could be an even better option than Yang on the right flank for the next boss, possibly with Bournemouth loanee Julian Araujo to support him down the right side at right-back.

Signing him on a loan-to-buy deal would also provide Celtic with an opportunity to properly assess him over the next few months before making a decision on whether or not to activate their buy option in the summer.

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This means that if he is unable to hit the ground running in Scotland and his form tails off, they can look elsewhere or continue with Yang as the first-choice in that role ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Fulham substitute Harrison Reed’s outrageous last-gasp goal to steal victory away from Liverpool summed up Arne Slot’s side’s season.

Though Cody Gakpo had scored what he thought was the winner moments earlier, bundling home following a crisp cross from substitute Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool were unstuck by a wonder goal, marking successive draws in the Premier League.

Truthfully, the champions have been well below the expected standard this season, and though their unbeaten run stretched to nine in all competitions, there is so much work to do for a laboured and uninspiring side.

Liverpool had the lion’s share of the ball, and as Slot asserted, Fulham rarely tested Alisson’s goal. But this is a team shorn of confidence and initiative and creativity, and it showed at Craven Cottage.

What went wrong for Liverpool at Fulham

Slot spoke post-match of the gains made in recent weeks, but there’s no question that Liverpool fans are fed up, with their side lacking so much of their previous sparkle and coherence as an elite attacking force.

Liverpool are not only duller than before but blunter too. And that having spent something close to £450m in the summer transfer window, breaking the British transfer record not once but twice through deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

The boarding that props up this project is creaking, and soon it will splinter. In fairness, Liverpool did improve. The second half gave rise to more purpose and drive, but the Merseysiders still only created an xG total of 1.45 across the contest, with their makeshift frontline unable to produce and sustain fluent offensive football.

Reed’s stunning strike will have left the visitors feeling rather aggrieved, but this is the latest example of inefficient attacking play, and a creative unit that is unable to focus and direct itself.

Slot has sought to establish more control at Liverpool, but this has come at the expense of creative expression. However, there are a few who have been singled out as struggling to achieve the kind of balance and modulation in the starting line-up, with one even branded Liverpool’s new version of Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool have found their new Darwin Nunez

Jamie Carragher can be a contentious online presence at the best of times, and the Sky Sports pundit proved this once again by claiming before Liverpool’s contest in west London that Milos Kerkez is “like having Darwin Nunez at left-back”.

This was a harsh twist on previous effusions laid on Trent Alexander-Arnold, but there’s something to be said of the Hungarian’s erraticness and lack of poise down the left channel, yet to bring it all together after completing a £45m transfer from Bournemouth.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp also branded the 22-year-old a “nervous wreck” earlier in the campaign, after Manchester United scored a shock victory over Slot’s side at Anfield.

While he’s improved along with his team from a defensive standpoint in recent weeks, Kerkez remains a mixed bag, lacking purpose through his playmaking. This was clear after his performance at Fulham.

Liverpool World gave him a 6/10 match rating and acknowledged his capable defending, but Kerkez flattered to deceive from a more attacking slant, failing with each of his three attempted crosses and unable to create a single chance for a side crying out for more inspiration, as per Sofascore. Moreover, the 64-touch talent didn’t even attempt a dribble or have a shot. He did, at least, win all of his duels, including a solitary tackle.

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Looking at how he compares this season against his PFA Team of the Year-awarded 2024/25 campaign with Bournemouth, it’s clear to see that he’s struggling to produce the same level.

Milos Kerkez in the Premier League

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

38 (38)

19 (16)

Goals

2

1

Assists

5

0

Touches*

59.6

53.7

Accurate passes*

28.6 (80%)

30.5 (87%)

Chances created*

1.0

0.7

Succ. dribbles*

0.6

0.3

Recoveries*

4.7

2.7

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

2.0

Clearances*

2.6

2.6

Duels won*

4.0 (54%)

3.7 (61%)

Errors made

4x

2x

Data via Sofascore

Kerkez has to do more, but it’s undeniable that he has been hamstrung somewhat by Slot’s coaching, more conservative to be less porous in recent weeks. He’s aggressive, but that aggression must be controlled and moulded into something that can help Liverpool penetrate through tough defences.

It’s worked, but Kerkez remains a somewhat unconvincing prospect, and he needs to develop the completeness that evaded Nunez throughout the Uruguayan’s three terms on Merseyside.

All told, this is a young player who has stepped into a system that has failed to click together this season. Improvements are needed, but with time, there is hope that Kerkez will make the necessary gains and start drawing more positive comments.

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Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool tenure was characterised by precision in the transfer market. That among other things.

Truly, though, the German manager was a terrific tactician, and he got the best out of so many players, snapped up so many prospects for sharp sums and fashioned them into superstars. Take Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane. Andy Robertson. Gini Wijnaldum.

The list goes on. The German was brutal, though, and he cut out the deadwood quickly. The likes of Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke.

Now, Arne Slot’s Anfield side are in a different stratosphere to that sorry squad that predated Klopp’s reign. But Slot’s Premier League champions are in a rut, and are looking to make a signing or two in the January transfer market.

But might they be about to repeat a botched Balotelli-esque bid from before?

Liverpool lining up January forward signing

With Alexander Isak out injured with a broken leg and Salah currently away at the African Cup of Nations, it’s so surprise that Liverpool are interested in adding to their attack, even after pulling back in the race for Manchester City-bound Antoine Semenyo.

Liverpool’s frontline is chock-full of talent, with sweeping and expensive changes made this summer. It’s for this reason that FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes may be on the lookout for an astute piece of business.

And according to Brazilian outlet Bolavip, Liverpool are considering a bargain buy for Corinthians striker Memphis Depay, with the Netherlands star available for just €10m (about £8m).

The 31-year-old is vastly experienced and would add depth and dynamism across the frontline for the business end of the season, with the Merseysiders said to be ‘very keen’ to strike a winter deal.

But, would this be the right move for the Reds?

Why Liverpool want Memphis Depay

Depay has led a storied career, and having joined Corinthians in Brazil in September 2024 after his contract with Atletico Madrid expired, he has scored 19 goals and supplied 14 assists across 65 matches.

But Liverpool are not in a position to offer an ageing forward playing away from Europe a shot in their struggling squad. Any activity this month must hit the jackpot.

Would Liverpool be making a front-footed move here? Is Depay, whose £31m transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United in 2015 turned out to be a disaster, the answer to Slot’s attacking troubles?

It doesn’t feel like the Dutchman would represent fantastic value for money, especially when considering he’s earning £173k per week in the Brasileiro Serie A.

Once hailed by pundit Rio Ferdinand as a “maverick” of a forward who moved to the Theatre of Dreams too young, Depay has since rebuilt himself and now sits at the autumn end of his career as an accomplished forward, one of the Netherlands’ finest.

Netherlands – All-time Top Scorers

Player

Apps

Goals

Memphis Depay

102

52

Robin van Persie

102

50

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

76

42

Patrick Kluivert

79

40

Denis Bergkamp

79

37

Arjen Robben

96

37

Data via Transfermarkt

For Liverpool to move for this player now would reek of desperation, and it would even be comparable to a long-ago move for Balotelli, who was the ostensible replacement for Luis Suarez when the Uruguayan legend was sold to Barcelona in 2014.

Balotelli, now 35, had previously won the Premier League with Manchester City and enjoyed prolific campaigns in his Italian homeland, but he arrived at Anfield at the wrong time, with the Brendan Rodgers era falling apart.

Balotelli was something of a nomad himself, and when he joined Liverpool from AC Milan for £16m, playing only one season at the club and scoring only one Premier League goal all year.

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The notorious forward left with few fond memories, describing his time at the club as “the worst mistake” of his life.

As for Depay, he’s a skilful player who has accomplished much, using that flopped spell at Man United to kick on and establish himself as a key player across various grounds before settling with Corinthians at this later-career stage.

As with Balotelli way back when, however, Liverpool would be panic-buying here, patching over deep attacking issues with a stop-gap.

Ex-Man Utd man Paul Parker might have described Depay as being a versatile forward who was at a higher level than Cristiano Ronaldo when he was 21 years old, but development isn’t linear, and it’s fair to say that Portuguese man has outstripped him since.

It would not be the answer to Slot’s problems, especially given the pace and intensity of the Premier League, and how Depay fell by the wayside last time, all those years ago.

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New South Wales 5 for 360 (Forrest 177, Haddin 55*, Hughes 51, Katich 51) v Tasmania
Scorecard

Peter Forrest was understandably thrilled at reaching his first century © Getty Images

Peter Forrest made his first Pura Cup century as New South Wales batted themselves into a strong position on the first day against Tasmania. Forrest fell late in the day for 177 and at the close the Blues had reached 5 for 360 with Brad Haddin on 55 and Grant Lambert yet to score.The early signs for New South Wales were excellent as Forrest, in his fifth first-class game, combined with the debutant opener Phillip Hughes for a 112-run second-wicket stand. Hughes, 18, is the Blues’ youngest first-class player since Michael Clarke burst on the scene and he immediately displayed the skills that earned him his place, striking 51.Forrest then had strong support from Simon Katich (51) and Haddin, as Tasmania’s attack struggled to string together two wickets in close proximity. His century came from 174 balls but he was not content to leave it there and finished with 21 fours and two sixes.His lengthy stay finally ended when Brendan Drew trapped him lbw with only 15 minutes left in the day. Ben Hilfenhaus was the only Tasmania bowler to claim more than one wicket, ending the day with 2 for 90.

Anil Kumble has urged his team-mates to approach the Tests with a positive mindset © AFP

Anil Kumble has happy memories of the Wanderers, and he urged his team-mates to be positive – “Let’s forget about the one-day series” – in the build-up to the first Test which starts on Friday. Back in November 1992, Kumble was a young man on his way back from the wilderness, and a stupendous second-innings display, 44-22-53-6, more or less sealed his place in the side for the best part of the next decade.”Personally, I’ve had a good tour whenever I’ve come here,” said Kumble, speaking to the media after another long net session on Tuesday. With 31 wickets from his nine Tests here, Kumble will be one of the men South Africa worry about the most, but he was almost anxious to shy away from talk of the individual. “It’s important that we play well collectively as a team,” he said. “It’s always a great atmosphere here at the Wanderers, and it will be a good Test series. The boys are geared up.”According to him, the 4-0 defeat in the one-day series was a page from the past, and he was confident that the team had the quality to bounce back over the three Tests. “If you look back at the West Indies tour, we won the Tests after we had an ordinary one-day series,” he said. “And inPakistan, we didn’t do too well in the Tests, but came back in the one-day games.”Not many gave us a chance when we toured Australia last time. Everyone said we would lose 4-0, and that turned out to be one of the best series we’ve ever played. The conditions here are pretty similar to Australia. When you look back at how the team performed, and also individuals, you can draw inspiration from that.”When asked what lessons could be learnt from the displays of that side, which left Australian shores after having nearly ruined Steve Waugh’s farewell, Kumble said, “We have more or less the same set of players. It’s a matter of one innings. Hopefully, it will be the first innings of thefirst Test here. We picked up 20 wickets and won a Test [Adelaide], and came close to winning another [Sydney]. You need runs on the board, and you need time.”

Not many gave us a chance when we toured Australia last time. Everyone said we would lose 4-0, and that turned out to be one of the best series we’ve ever played

That said, South Africa are formidable opposition, having lost only to Australia and England on home soil since their re-admission to the Test arena in 1992. “They know their conditions well,” said Kumble. “They have the bowlers to suit the pitches they play on. But then again, not manyhave gone to Australia and returned [nearly] victorious, so we must be positive.”Though he emphasised that the batsmen would need to get their act together over the next month, Kumble wasn’t overly worried about the poor displays in the one-day series. “It’s especially important for a spinner to have runs on the board,” he said. “The one-day series wasn’t easy. A couple of times, we had to bat under lights, and if you look at the record for thosekinds of games in South Africa, it’s a bit tough. We also didn’t have proper practice before the first game because of the rain.”South Africa too had the odd batting wobble during the one-day series, and Kumble was confident that India had the resources to hurt them again if they slipped up in the Tests. “Their top order also didn’t fare too well in the one-day games,” he said. “We have the quality when it comes to the bowling. If we bowl in the right areas, and get a couple of early wickets,we can put pressure on them.”The South Africans have already talked of how they won’t allow the Indian spinners to settle, and AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs could be given the task of trying to unsettle Kumble with some big hits. de Villiers played some splendid knocks against Muttiah Muralitharan in Sri Lanka, but the prospect of the batsmen taking him on didn’t faze Kumble in the slightest. “Their approach will depend on the situation,” he said. “It will be good if they’re aggressive, it also gives us a chance to get them out.”

Kumble’s showing in the one-day series went almost unnoticed amid the batting meltdown © AFP

Given that India are almost certain to go into the game with a four-man bowling attack, Irfan Pathan, the spearhead less than a year ago, will miss out. The likes of Suresh Raina and Mohammad Kaif are already back home, after unconvincing one-day performances. Kumble, however, urged them not to be disheartened as they analyse what has gone wrong.”It’s important for the development of a youngster that you have these ups and downs,” he said. “Every outing won’t be a century or a five-wicket haul. I try and put positive thoughts in their minds. I’ve been through this before, as has everyone who’s played a lot of cricket. You just keep talking to them, and you hope that when they do come back, the experience they have gained will help.”He didn’t wax eloquent about his return to the one-day side, but made it clear that he was determined to be a part of India’s World Cup campaign, having played only a fringe role in the last edition. “It’s good to be in the scheme of things,” he said. “It’s a young man’s game, but you also need experience.”In the midst of the batting meltdown that cost India the one-day series, a couple of strong showings from Kumble went almost unnoticed. It didn’t really bother him. “As a team, we didn’t do well,” he said bluntly. “My performance was not so important. You need to win, and if that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t count.”If each of his team-mates had that town-sized heart and unflinching desire to win, India would hardly ever lose a game.

Dinesh Mongia is looking for more consistency in his game for 2006 © Getty Images

Dinesh Mongia has agreed to return to Leicestershire for another season in 2006, in a bid to reclaim his spot in the Indian one-day squad. Mongia joins Asif Mohammad, the Pakistani fast bowler, who signed for the club yesterday.”I was a part of India’s World Cup squad when we reached the final in 2003 and hope to be involved again next time,” Mongia, who is currently captaining Punjab back home in India, told BBC Sport. “Achieving consistency is undoubtedly my number one objective next summer, particularly in the Championship.”Mongia performed reasonably well last summer – averaging just over 40 and accumulating 684 first-class runs – but his best performances came in the Totesport League where he made significant contributions with bat and ball as Leicestershire fell agonisingly short in their bid for promotion from the second division.”There is no doubt that he is a very talented cricketer with considerable international experience,” said Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson. “And he has made it very clear to us that he wants to make more of an impact next season.”

xxx© xxx

Every year before New Zealand Cricket’s annual general meeting, a brief ritual takes place. It lasts only a few minutes but it is of genuine significance in the development of cricket in New Zealand.”It” is the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Foundation. The independent body was set up in 1979 with the aim of providing assistance in areas normally beyond the reach of the work of New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Among its committee and executive are some real movers and shakers in the cricket and business world.President is long-time New Zealand cricket benefactor, businessman Sir Ron Brierley, while the secretary is the chairman of NZC and chief executive of the National Bank, Sir John Anderson. Elected members of the committee are: former commentator Iain Gallaway, another notable benefactor in John Oakley, cricket historian and former New Zealand selector Don Neely and former international John Morrison. NZC’s four appointed members of the Foundation are: former international and co-founder of Sky Television Terry Jarvis, NZC board member Denis Currie, chief executive Martin Snedden and NZC operations manager John Reid, both of them former internationals.Over the years, the body has donated $NZ4.15 million to groups around New Zealand for a variety of reasons. They have provided permanent wickets or practice wickets to a total of $NZ2.09 million while also assisting with coaching, coaching co-ordinators and development, funding New Zealand Young players to Lord’s, travel grants and scholarships. They have also assisted ins funding New Zealand Youth tours, Kiwi Cricket and specialist clinics, and in other ways.In the past year, the Foundation contributed $30,000 to Canterbury Cricket’s indoor facility at Iversen Terrace while every year it presents the Sir Jack Newman Award in honour of one of the original members of the Foundation who had a transport empire in the Nelson region, to a person who has made a significant contribution to youth cricket in New Zealand. This year’s winner was Marlborough man Mike Rhodes who has given 33 years of service to junior cricket in his region.In the past year, the Foundation had a surplus of $NZ281,139, its first surplus for some time, mainly due to a gain on sale of a proportion of GPG shares held by the Foundation, while NZC also made two grants of $25,000 to the Foundation.Examples of the spread of pitch funding can be seen from the following list: (all $NZ)$15,000 – Taranaki Cricket Association,$9000 – Northern Districts Cricket Association,$7500 – Dunedin Cricket Association,$6000 – Bay of Plenty Cricket Association,$4500 – Burnside West – University Cricket Club, Mount Aspiring College,$4000 – Hillcrest High School Cricket,$3000 – Adams House: Christchurch, Campion College, Ellesmere College, Hamilton Cricket Association, Morrinsville Cricket Association, Oamaru Cricket Club, St Andrew’s College, St Bede’s College, Southwell School, Te Puru School: Thames, Waimea College,$2000 – Merivale Papanui Cricket Club,$1750 – Old Collegians Cricket Club,$1500 – Akaroa Cricket Club, Westport South School, Karamea Area School, Burwood School, Cromwell Cricket Club, Greenmeadows School, Highlands Intermediate School, Karamu Intermediate School, Mahora School, Manurewa Central School, Mauku Cricket Club, Merivale School, Mount Anglem College, Taitoko School, Taradale Intermediate School, Te Aroha College, Te Puke Cricket Club, Whangarei and Districts Cricket Association,$1250 – Picton Cricket Club, West Coast Cricket Association,$1000 – Papamoa School,$600 – Tamahere School, Vardon School.

BRISBANE – Australia’s cricket selectors have been given extra time tosolve a spinning problem for the series opener against South Africa nextweek, but they won’t hand out a Test cap for the sake of it.The Adelaide Oval, which hosts the first Test from next Friday, hastraditionally been a base for two spinners, leaving a question mark overwho could partner Shane Warne.Stuart MacGill and Colin Miller are the most experienced contenders butcases can be made against both, leaving almost a lottery amongAustralia’s otherwise thin spinning ranks.National selector Allan Border said publicly that two spinners would benamed in a 12 or 13-man squad for Adelaide, leaving the door open for asurprise selection.But chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said the squad, which wassupposed to be named tomorrow, had not yet been discussed.The selectors will pick the squad on Saturday night after Hohns watchesSouth Africa open its first-class tour during a four-day match againstWestern Australia at the WACA Ground.Hohns was adamant selectors would not throw in another spinner for thesake of tradition at the Adelaide Oval, even though MacGill and Millerbowled half of Australia’s overs against the West Indies last summer.”It’s an option, and there is no doubt about that, but we have to decidewhich is the right way to go,” Hohns said.”We have to first decide whether another spinner warrants selection.”We’ve got a few young fellows coming through and we’ve got the triedand true performers so it’s something to be discussed.”Spinners across the country haven’t been banging down Hohns’ door thissummer, after struggling for impact on sometimes unco-operative wickets.Even Australian coach John Buchanan admitted that selectors faced atough decision.”You could go around the whole country and, if you look at thestatistics this season, there isn’t one person who has put up their handand said ‘pick me’,” Buchanan said.”It will be an interesting choice if selectors decide to go that way.”Selectors must first settle on the style of any second spinner -MacGill’s leg spin, Miller’s off spin or a left-arm spinner.Miller would have an advantage because his offies complement Warne’s legspin but the 38-year-old is struggling for opportunities with Victoria.His Test career would almost certainly be over if selectors plucked arookie off-spinner, perhaps even Queenslander Nathan Hauritz, for aglimpse of the Test scene.The off-spinners would be the frontrunners with South Africa set to playthree key left-handed batsmen – Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener and JacquesRudolph.”That makes a difference,” Buchanan said.”Leg spin is one of the spinning options that we need to have. It wouldbe, in a sense, nice for the ball to go the other way but that’s adecision for selectors.”That would leave MacGill out of the running, continuing a frustratingseason during which his on-field behaviour has been questioned.Other spinners around the country include Tasmania’s Daniel Marsh, NSWoff-spinner Anthony Clark, young Victorian leggie Cameron White, SouthAustralians Brad Young and Peter McIntyre and West Australian Brad Hogg.

ScorecardFile photo: Ankit Bawne and Maharashtra will hope for as little rain as possible on the final day in Gahunje•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Opener Swapnil Gugale’s 91 on yet another rain-curtailed day has put Maharashtra on course to take a first-innings lead and start their season with three points against Haryana. Play was stopped in Gahunje just before tea on the penultimate day with hosts Maharashtra 256 for 3, only 79 runs behind Haryana’s first innings total of 335.Claiming the lead might not be quite so straightforward with heavier rain predicted on the final day. The unbeaten batsmen Kedar Jadhav and Ankit Bawne, were quite aggressive during their 76-run partnership, and would be hoping for at least an hour’s play tomorrow to push Maharashtra ahead.The day, however, clearly belonged to Gugale. He had debuted in 2010-11, got a duck and did not play the rest of the season. After a few years in the wilderness, he broke through in 2014-15 with 596 runs at 54.18, including a century in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu. He had come in midway through the season and ended up with the highest average.Gugale began cautiously today, taking his time to gauge the pace and adjusting to the lesser bounce on the pitch. He saw off the pace of Ashish Hooda, the standout bowler for Haryana, before getting into gear with some lovely drives.Jayant Yadav, on a high after impressing for India A against the touring Bangladeshis last week, was introduced after drinks but Gugale didn’t let him settle. He laced a four through cover and followed it up with a paddle sweep to the fine leg boundary. Next over, he charged down the wicket and struck medium-pacer Sachin Rana over his head and into the sight screen. Gugale completed the assault by hoicking Yadav into the stands beyond long-on just before lunch.Gugale had scored 174 against Delhi last season and memories of that knock may have come up for Virender Sehwag, now leading Haryana. But, Hooda was eventually rewarded for his discipline as Gugale edged one to keeper Nitin Saini just after entering into the nineties.Gugale was glad to have started the season with a good knock which wiil give him “enough confidence to avoid second-season blues.” but was disappointed to have missed out on a three-figure mark.”A hundred is, after all, a hundred,” he said after the day’s play was called off ten minutes before scheduled close. “It would have been better to leave home for four consecutive away games with a hundred at home but it wasn’t to be. Hopefully I can make amends in the coming games.”