Leeds United are currently one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League after picking up 11 points from their first 11 matches of the 2025/26 campaign.

Whilst it has not been a disastrous start for the Championship champions, there are already some eyes wandering to the January transfer window with a view to the club bolstering the squad with new recruits.

Adding more goals to the team may be one of the priorities for the 49ers ahead of the window, as Daniel Farke’s side have only scored 11 goals in their 11 league matches.

Noah Okafor, Joe Rodon, and Lukas Nmecha are all currently tied on two goals in the Premier League this season, making them the club’s joint-top scorers.

25/26

Noah Okafor

Joe Rodon

Lukas Nmecha

2

22/23

Rodrigo

13

21/22

Raphinha

11

20/21

Patrick Bamford

17

As you can see in the table above, Leeds look to be on course for their first top-flight campaign without a player in double figures for goals for the first time since they were promoted under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020.

What the Whites would give to have Raphinha back at Elland Road for a second spell, as the Brazil international was a sensational signing by Victor Orta and Bielsa.

Where Raphinha ranks among Leeds signings since 2020

The left-footed forward was signed from Rennes for a fee of £18m in the summer of 2020 after Leeds had won the Championship title in the 2019/20 campaign.

It is hard to argue against Raphinha being the best signing that the club have made since their promotion in 2020, as he was a superstar for the Whites and earned them a significant profit upon his eventual departure.

The Brazilian phenomenon ranked first in the squad for ‘big chances’ created in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaign, with 12 in the first and ten in the second, per Sofascore, which speaks to how important he was as a creative force.

Appearances

30

35

Goals

6

11

Big chances missed

4

6

Big chances created

12

10

Key passes per game

2.1

1.9

Assists

9

3

Dribbles completed per game

1.9

1.8

Raphinha, as shown in the statistics above, also provided a big threat as a scorer of goals, with a return of 17 strikes in 65 Premier League games for the Whites in total.

Leeds were relegated the season after he left the club and no players in the squad hit double figures for ‘big chances’ created, per Sofascore, which speaks to the impact that his exit had on the team.

His £55m move to Barcelona in 2022 was also a club-record sale for Leeds, which remains the case today, and this is another reason why he must be considered their best signing since 2020, due to his undeniable impact on the pitch and the money that his sale generated.

He was an exciting signing at the time of his arrival in 2020, as a technically brilliant Brazilian forward coming in from Ligue 1, and the club could recapture that level of excitement with one of their targets for the next window.

Leeds lining up move for Premier League star

According to MOTLeedsNews, Leeds United are lining up a potential swoop to sign Manchester United central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites were interested in a move for the England international in the summer window, but the Red Devils were unwilling to sanction an exit at the time.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that ‘all signs’ point to a January exit from Old Trafford for Mainoo, due to his lack of game time this season, and that Leeds are keeping tabs on his situation with a view to a move for his signature.

However, MOTLeedsNews reveals that the main priority for the Whites is to sign a new number nine to bolster their attack, with any deal for the United midfielder on the back burner until they get that done.

If Leeds do land a new striker and go on to sign Mainoo on loan for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, the central midfielder could be the most exciting signing since Raphinha.

Why Leeds should sign Kobbie Mainoo

In September, it was reported that a £79m price tag had been placed on the English starlet amid interest from Real Madrid, as United looked to scare teams off an attempt to sign him on a permanent basis.

£79m is £43.5m more than Leeds have ever spent on a player and £24m more than the club have ever sold a player for, which shows that Mainoo may be the most valuable player in the club’s history, even if he only joins on loan.

It would be an incredibly exciting signing for supporters and surely viewed as an ambitious move by neutrals, because the midfield star has made 80 appearances for Manchester United and been capped ten times by England, per Transfermarkt, despite not turning 21 until next April.

Mainoo, as explained by Ruben Amorim in the comments above, is in an unfortunate situation at Old Trafford because he has found himself behind club captain and Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes in his position because of the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Before Amorim’s time at United, the English midfielder excelled in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system under Erik ten Hag in the 2023/24 campaign, which bodes well for a potential move to Leeds, as they are Farke’s two preferred formations at Elland Road.

Take-ons attempted

2.71

Top 20%

Take-ons completed

1.42

Top 18%

Take-on success rate

53.4%

Top 28%

Goal-creating actions (take-ons)

0.09

Top 4%

Goal-creating actions (shot)

0.09

Top 2%

Goal-creating actions (fouls drawn)

0.05

Top 9%

As you can see in the table above, Mainoo earned his place in the England team and as a regular starter for United thanks to his impressive play in possession under the Dutch coach.

The 20-year-old midfield star, who was dubbed “generational” by teammate Rasmus Hojlund, was among the best midfielders in the Premier League at creating chances and carrying his side up the pitch with his ball control and mobility, which could helpd Leeds to improve their dismal goal tally of 11 goals from 11 games.

Mainoo, as shown in the clips above, also provided quality defensively, tracking back to make vital challenges, and showed potential as a goalscorer with five goals in all competitions, per Sofascore.

Therefore, the England international should not be judged by his failure to get into the current United team, as that is almost purely down to the manager’s preferred tactics.

Bamford 2.0: Leeds chase ST with 15 goals in 25/26, he'd save Farke's job

Leeds United are interested in signing a striker who could save Daniel Farke’s job at Elland Road.

ByDan Emery Nov 15, 2025

Overall, Leeds fans should be incredibly excited by the prospect of signing the young star, as he could be just as exciting a signing as Raphinha was, for different reasons, despite the fact that it would only be a loan deal.

MatériaMais Notícias

O lateral-esquerdo do Red Bull Bragantino, Juninho Capixaba, completou na última partida 300 jogos na carreira entrando em campo mais uma vez vestindo as cores do Massa Bruta. Com passagens por Bahia, Corinthians, Grêmio e Fortaleza, o camisa 29 da equipe paulista se orgulha da marca.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians descarta Deyverson e Romarinho e tem prioridade no mercadoCorinthians21/05/2024CruzeiroCássio veste camisa do Cruzeiro e é recebido por multidão em Belo HorizonteCruzeiro21/05/2024VascoVasco anuncia a contratação do técnico Álvaro Pacheco; veja contratoVasco21/05/2024

– Quando você olha pra trás e vê tudo o que trabalhou pra chegar até aqui e enxerga uma marca como essa de 300 jogos na carreira, é algo muito gratificante. Muitas histórias já foram contadas e com certeza muitas mais estão por vir, afirmou o atleta de 26 anos.

Além da marca, Capixaba apresenta novamente bons números na temporada atual, assim como foi nas anteriores. Segundo o SofaScore, é o segundo atleta com mais desarmes e o primeiro em rebatida de bolas entre os jogadores da Série A em competições nacionais e internacionais em 2024.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

BragantinoJuninho CapixabaRB Bragantino

Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reinforced his larger-than-life reputation this postseason with yet another huge moment in Game 3 of the ALDS vs. the Yankees on Tuesday night.

After Blue Jays' Ernie Clement hit a ground ball to left field at the top of the third, Guerrero, leading off from second, took off toward home. But when it looked like he might not make it—whether he could sense the ball behind him or just had a Yankees hatred-fueled gut feeling—the first baseman opted to launch himself comically high into the air then slide toward home in his best attempt at making up the distance between him and another Blue Jays run.

Amazingly, he made it … and had the most pumped-up reaction to his Superman-esque play, which extended Toronto's lead at the time to 4–1.

Watch that below:

Should the Yankees, now trailing 6–3 at the top of the fourth (and down two games in the series), want to keep their postseason alive, they'll have to hope Guerrero, who also has a home run tonight, avoids channeling another comic book hero long enough for them to make up the deficit.

يواصل اسم المهاجم الأردني علي علوان الانتشار في وسائل الإعلام المصرية، وسط تكهنات حول انتقال محتمل إلى النادي الأهلي خلال فترة الانتقالات المقبلة.

وخرجت بعض التقارير الإعلامية خلال الساعات الماضية التي تتحدث عن تواصل الأهلي مع وكيل اللاعب للاستفسار عن ضمه في الميركاتو الشتوي المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. وكيل بابلو صباغ يفجر مفاجأة عبر “بطولات”: خطوة تسهل انتقاله لـ الأهلي

وكيل اللاعب، علي الضعيفي، قال في تصريحات خاصة عبر بطولات: “ليس هناك أي تواصل رسمي أو حتى مفاوضات شفهية عن طريق وسطاء بيني وبين الأهلي”.

وأضاف الضعيفي: “هناك الكثير من الأخبار المغلوطة التي تظهر في الإعلام المصري ويربطون بعض أسماء اللاعبين مع الأندية، ولكن أؤكد لك أنني كوكيل للمهاجم لم يحدث أي تواصل من جانب الأهلي لضم علي علوان”.

وحول رغبة اللاعب في الانتقال، أوضح وكيله: “علوان ليس لديه أي مانع في الانتقال إلى الدوري المصري، وفي الوقت الحالي يركز فقط على دوره مع منتخب الأردن في بطولة كأس العرب”.

وكان نادي الكرمة العراقي قد أكد في تصريحات خاصة لنا على أن الأهلي لم يتواصل معهم لضم علي علوان في الميركاتو الشتوي، وعقد اللاعب سينتهي في 30 يونيو القادم.

The Dodgers built a comfortable lead over the Reds in Game 1 of their National League wild-card series and hung on for a 10–5 victory. Shohei Ohtani blasted a titanic home run and Blake Snell was dominant through seven innings. But a trio of pitchers—Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez and Jack Dreyer—were very shaky in an eighth inning that resulted in three Cincinnati runs.

And Colin Cowherd thinks that's a very bad sign for a team expected to valiantly defend their World Series crown.

"Last night's a prime example of why they're not going to win the World Series," Cowherd said on his show Wednesday. "

"Dave Roberts doesn't trust the bullpen," he continued. "Dodger fans don't trust the bullpen. The Dodger bullpen doesn't trust the bullpen. They're going to push their starters as long as they can go."

Cowherd believes Los Angeles need to get great starting pitching and have their big bats deliver. Which sounds like a lot but is the same challenge almost every team in the MLB playoffs is hoping to receive. So there's no need to panic, especially with that lineup.

There is also the possibility that razor-sharp focus wasn't there in an 8–0 game and the effort could be better with more on the line.

"It feels good," Cowherd said of the opening triumph. "But this is how they're going to have to win."

Another sloppy, error-strewn day by the tourists could prove terminal

Matt Roller05-Dec-20251:18

Root jokes England’s ‘wheels would’ve come off’ if he was captain

Brydon Carse peeled himself off the outfield at the Gabba with his shirt drenched through with sweat, his left hand strapped, and his whites stained with grass after a failed attempt at a sliding stop on the boundary rope. His obvious exhaustion reflected England’s mood: through no shortage of effort, this series is already threatening to slip away from them.England simply cannot afford to lose in Brisbane. If that sounds like an exaggeration after four days of cricket, consider this: only once, in 1936-37, has a team ever come from two-nil down to win an Ashes series. They have been handed two golden opportunities to face an Australia side without two of their three great fast bowlers but gifted them a win in the first Test and already have conceded a significant deficit in the second.They still have a foothold thanks to Australia’s crazy half-hour under lights, but make no mistake: this was a brutal day for England, who leaked more than five runs per over, dropped five catches, and rarely managed to hide their frustrations in doing so. Carse personified their struggles, his eye-watering figures of 3 for 113 from 17 overs somehow representing a comeback from a dreadful start.Related

Australia wait to count cost of crazy floodlit passage

England's prep not to blame for Gabba fielding errors, says Root

Root: England must 'express themselves in right way' to save second Test

Weatherald's opening gambit inspires Australia fightback

Mark Waugh, commentating for Fox, described Carse’s pitchmap as “third-grade standard” during his first spell, then apologised to third-graders who might think that was an overly generous assessment. He seemed convinced that Jake Weatherald and Travis Head had weaknesses against wide long-hops and straight half-volleys, being picked off either side of the wicket, and leaked 45 runs in his first five overs.In the twilight, Carse could be seen cursing himself at mid-on as Ben Stokes ran in after an over that highlighted his volatility: he struck Steven Smith on the right elbow with a ball that climbed sharply, but then booted the air in frustration after his wide half-volley was sliced away behind point and felt his body thud into the pitch two balls later, losing his footing in his follow-through.His third spell lasted a single over. Carse charged in and slammed one in halfway down at 84mph/135kph, and watched Cameron Green back away to slap it, cross-batted, over mid-off for four. Green cut him for four more, Smith top-edged a hook for six, and a loopy bouncer was deemed wide, too high to reach.Things were getting badly out of hand: Carse’s figures after 12 overs – 1 for 95 – were briefly the most expensive in England’s Test history. Then came a bizarre, drawn-out over: another loopy wide, a yorker bluff to clean up Green, a drop at gully by a sprawling Ben Duckett, and an outstanding diving effort by Will Jacks at long leg to account for Smith.He charged down to Jacks in celebration, briefly convinced that his and England’s day to forget was becoming a night to remember. But it soon came crashing back down: in between drops by Duckett and a tough chance for Joe Root, Carse shelled the easiest of the lot at cover to reprieve Michael Neser and split the webbing on his left hand in the process.Brydon Carse rues a dropped a catch•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesIt was nearly as tough for England’s other bowlers: Stokes leaked 5.47 runs per over and struggled with cramps, Jofra Archer had two catches put down off his bowling, Will Jacks’ only over cost 13 runs (including four byes for a freebie down the leg side), Gus Atkinson is wicketless after 39 overs in this series, and Mark Wood’s left knee is in a brace.Since bowling Australia out for 132 in Perth – the best-case scenario for their fast but fragile attack – England have conceded a combined 583 for 8 in 101.2 overs and appear incapable of exerting any control. Stokes must shoulder some of the blame: unusually, it was hard to ascertain England’s plan to take wickets for much of the second day in Brisbane.There has long been a sense within English cricket that Carse is ideally suited to bowling in Australia. He took wickets in the Lions’ win against Australia A at the MCG in 2019-20, made a strong impression before an injury while bowling to England’s batters in the build-up to the 2021-22 series, and is rare in preferring the Kookaburra ball to the more familiar Dukes.He is their leading wicket-taker in the early stages of this tour, but that he has also conceded more than a run a ball is emblematic of England’s wider selection policy: picking players based on their best moments with minimal concern for their consistency results in days like these. For all the adrenaline and excitement England have produced, Australia are in control.”Clearly we didn’t get it right to start with,” Root said, doing his best to cling to the positives, “but the way we responded, especially towards the back end of the day [was great]…The wheels could have come off and at other times – probably on a tour where I was captain, they would have.”We know that [when we play] our best cricket and when we execute well, we’re a very difficult side to play against. It’s about turning up with the right manner tomorrow… I don’t think we’re massively out of the game at all. I think we’re actually not too far behind, as long as we get things right early tomorrow.”Root is right that all hope is not lost: England could yet blow away Australia’s lower order on the third morning, and will have the opportunity to bowl last on a pitch that has already shown signs of variable bounce. But Carse’s slow trudge towards the dressing room was a reminder that another sloppy, error-strewn day could prove terminal.

De Zorzi has also been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, as is Maphaka

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Dec-2025Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi have been ruled out of the series-deciding third ODI against India due to injury.Left-arm seamer Burger suffered a hamstring injury that curtailed his participation in the second ODI in Raipur, while de Zorzi experienced a right hamstring strain towards the end of South Africa’s chase and retired hurt on 17 after the 45th over.The CSA said that both players underwent scans on Friday, which confirmed the extent of their respective injuries. “De Zorzi has also been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, which gets underway on Tuesday, and will return home,” the release said. “No replacement has been named.”Related

Conrad hopes SA's young batters learn from Kohli, Rohit and 'grow from there'

Nandre Burger and de Zorzi pick up injuries during Raipur ODI

Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been withdrawn from the T20I squad as well, as he did not “progress as expected during the final phase of his rehabilitation” from a left hamstring injury. Fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has been added to the side.South Africa’s T20I squadAiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, and Tristan Stubbs

Liverpool are waiting for this nightmare to end, rediscovering the form of last season under Arne Slot’s wing that led to the Premier League title and a summer of sweeping changes.

The signings made this summer were completed after meticulous research, but, nonetheless, the Reds have been dismal this year, lacking identity and inspiration. Even in victory have Liverpool given their opponents plenty of optimism.

It’s worth noting that Liverpool were far better defensively than has so often been the case this term, but this has done little to calm the anxieties of supporters who have been forced to accept a bleak new norm.

Among the bitter pills swallowed has been the form of captain Virgil van Dijk, the centre-back very much at the core of Liverpool’s problems this season and lacking solutions so often provided across his illustrious career at the club.

Virgil van Dijk's drop-off this season

Liverpool’s monster has been made mortal by the tailspin of Slot’s system this season. Ibrahima Konate’s struggles have no doubt been exacerbated by the slow recession of Van Dijk’s indomitability.

He is 34 years old, 35 at the end of the season. It is only natural that the Netherlands skipper should begin to wind down. However, it presents Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes with quite the conundrum as Konate edges toward the expiry of his £70k-per-week contract.

Liverpool signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma for about £27m this summer, but the 18-year-old Italian tore his ACL on his debut against Southampton and is not expected back until the start of next season.

The Italian would have offered a much-needed dimension over the past few months, allowing Slot to enforce more rotation, with Konate having started each of his side’s Premier League fixtures this season despite his rut. Van Dijk is now foundering beside him.

Change is needed, and with the winter transfer window approaching, it’s clear that Liverpool need a centre-back.

Liverpool targeting centre-back this January

As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool are set to table a bid for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this winter, having reopened direct communications this week with the player’s agents after fumbling a deal to sign him in August.

Guehi is out of contract at Selhurst Park at the end of the season, and while Liverpool had a clean shot at the 25-year-old at the start of the season, notably even agreeing personal terms with the player, rival interest is now sure to be thick, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid considered suitors.

Sources suggest FSG are willing to offer around £25m for Guehi’s signature in January, paying something of a premium for one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

What Guehi would bring to Liverpool

Guehi could well be plying his craft for Liverpool right now, but it wasn’t to be as sporting director Richard Hughes gambled and left it late, Palace barring the door at the eleventh hour after failing to find a replacement.

It’s a real shame. Guehi is a seasoned Premier League star who just keeps on evolving. He has been hailed as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, but he is so much more.

As per data-driven site FBref, Guehi ranks among the top 7% of central defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for through balls, the top 6% for assists and shot-creating actions, and the top 15% for tackles won per 90.

If Liverpool succeed in completing a deal for the two-footed centre-half this winter, it could carry the weight of that one-time signing of Van Dijk, who joined from Southampton midway through the 2017/18 season for a £75m fee.

Van Dijk needs no introduction. He is one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history, a titan of the game.

He dovetailed into Jurgen Klopp’s exciting team and reinforced it with steel. He was the mortar which filled in the cracks and created a superteam.

Big boots to fill, but Guehi has been extensively profiled and could emulate the Netherlands man by arriving at the season’s midpoint, providing that dearly desired relief.

After such incredible success in recent years, it is staggering that Liverpool have plummeted so far beneath their expected level. This borders on a crisis, and one signing won’t stop the rot for good, but Guehi has the combative, confident defensive style to help put the Reds back on track, with his quality in the build-up something that Konate simply doesn’t possess.

It’s Van Dijk-esque, and given that Guehi would be arriving in January after previous attempts to sign him, this could have the much-needed echoes of that euphoric deal.

Fewer touches than Alisson & only 2 passes: Liverpool flop must be dropped

Arne Slot has a huge call to make about one player after his showing for Liverpool last night.

2 ByEthan Lamb Dec 4, 2025

Harry Kane starred with yet another hat-trick, while Michael Olise contributed with two assists as Bayern Munich thrashed VFB Stuttgart 5-0 to increase their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to 13 games. With 37 points, Bayern increased their lead to 11 points at the top of the table over RB Leipzig after comfortably routing their opponents on Saturday.

• Kane inspires Bayern to their 12th win of the season

  Bayern's unbeaten streak continued as they comfortably beat VFB Stuttgart 4-0 on Saturday to extend their lead over second-placed RB Leipzig to 11 points. Star forward Kane once again stole the show as he scored a hat-trick and took his Bundesliga goals tally to 17.

  The visitors dominated the game right from the start and took just 11 minutes to break the deadlock as Konrad Laimer opened the scoring. Laimer received a pass from Jonas Urbig and entered the box before squaring it towards Michael Olise. The Frenchman quickly gave the ball back to Laimer, who comfortably found the back of the net.

  Stuttgart pulled one back and restored parity in the match just minutes before the break as Nicolas Nartey headed the ball into the net from Bilal El Khannouss's inch-perfect free-kick but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was ruled out due to offside.

  Stuttgart did not create too many chances in the second half and fell to a heavy defeat after the introduction of Kane. The England captain, who did not feature in Vincent Kompany's starting lineup, came on as a substitute in the 61st minute, replacing Nicolas Jackson. The move proved to be a masterstroke as he soon scored his opening goal. The Englishman made a solo run after receiving a pass from the centre of the park before finding the back of the net with a low-lying long-range shot. 

  Josip Stanisic then added a third goal to the club's tally after former Liverpool star Luis Diaz dribbled past his marker inside the box. Thereafter, it was all Kane as he soon completed his brace after Lorenz Assignon conceded a red card for trying to stop the ball from going into the net with his hand. The England captain took the resulting penalty and made it 4-0 for his side before scoring a third goal from Michael Olise's cross.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  The MVP

  It was yet another masterpiece from Kane as the start forward once again stole the limelight with yet another hat-trick. Kane spent a little over 30 minutes on the ground but it was enough for him to bag a treble and guide his team to a dominant win.

• The big loser

  The Stuttgart defence completely crumbled once Kane entered the pitch just past the hour mark. However, it was Assignon who proved to be the villain as he tried to stop the ball with his hand in front of the goal in the 80th minute and picked up an unnecessary red card. Stuttgart going a man down at that point just added salt to their wounds as Kane completed the annihilation in the end.  

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

He wanted to continue batting but was taken off the field by India A coach and the physio

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2025Rishabh Pant gave India a brief injury scare ahead of next week’s first Test against South Africa in Kolkata by having to retire hurt while batting for India A against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.During the first session of the third day, Pant was struck three times – on his body and helmet – by fast bowler Tshepo Moreki, forcing him to retire hurt on 17 off 22 balls in the 34th over of India A’s second innings.However, he allayed fears of serious injury by returning to bat in the final session, after Harsh Dubey put on 184 for the sixth wicket with Dhruv Jurel, who made an unbeaten 127. Pant took on the spinners, racing to a half-century before declaring India A’s innings on 382 for 7. He was dismissed for 65 when he top-edged a slog sweep off left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds to the wicketkeeper.Pant had walked out to bat at No. 5 in the third over of the day after overnight batter KL Rahul was bowled for 27 – he added just one to his overnight score – by an inducker from Okuhle Cele. Pant didn’t take long to get going, his first three scoring shots were 4, 4 and 6 – all off Cele – but a series of short deliveries left him wincing in pain.Related

• Dhruv Jurel makes case for India Test spot with twin hundreds against South Africa A

• Kamboj, Suthar take India A home after Pant 90

• Rishabh Pant returns to India's Test squad

While Pant was keen to continue batting, he had to be taken off by India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and the physios as a precautionary measure. He was grimacing in pain every time the ball thudded into his bat, and his range of motion was limited due to some taping on his elbow after being hit there.The first blow Pant suffered was to the helmet when he attempted a reverse pick-up shot off Moreki, who had bowled a short ball from around the stumps. Pant was off balance at the point of impact and immediately fell to the ground, forcing the physios to conduct a mandatory concussion test. Once cleared, he pulled out from his stance to take his helmet off and gather himself before taking strike.The second blow had Pant groaning as the ball thudded into his right elbow as he shaped to play a short-arm jab. This time, the physio administered some pain-relief spray and taped the elbow. The third blow to the abdomen from a delivery that cut back in off the seam eventually forced the management to take Pant off the field.Having proved form and fitness with a 90 in the second innings of the first four-day fixture that India A won last week, Pant has had a more challenging time in the second game. In the first innings, he was rapped on the glove by a short ball from Moreki and caught at slip for 24.At the toss of the second game, Pant had kept an exact count of the number of days he’d been away for – 98 – while recovering from a fractured toe after being hit by Chris Woakes during the fourth India-England Test in Manchester in July.He spent two months in rehab at the Centre of Excellence following surgery, and resumed training in early September before playing for India A to get some match time ahead of the South Africa Tests. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel kept wickets during the two home Tests against West Indies as well as the fifth Test at The Oval, which India won to level the five-Test series at 2-2.India play two Tests against South Africa from November 14 in Kolkata, and then from November 22 in Guwahati, a city that will be hosting Test cricket for the first time. India are currently third in the World Test Championship table with 61.90% points; South Africa, meanwhile, are fifth with 50% points.