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With the Phillies' 2025 season wrapping up after a loss to the Dodgers in the National League Division Series last week, the seventh season of Bryce Harper's tenure in Philadelphia also came to a close.

Though Harper, who turns 33 on Thursday, has been among the top players in MLB for much of his career, this past not season was not one of his best. Phillies president Dave Dombrowski acknowledged this during his end of season press conference, even admitting he's not sure whether Harper will become an "elite" player again.

"In Bryce's case, of course he's still a quality player. He's still an All-Star caliber player. He didn't have an elite season like he has had in the past," Dombrowski said Thursday. "I guess we only find out if he becomes elite [again] or he continues to be good. You look around the league, you try to think Freddie Freeman. He's a really good player, he still is a good player. Is he elite like he was before? Probably not to the same extent so that's nothing negative. Freddie's still a tremendous player. That to me is Bryce."

"Can he rise to the next level again? I don't really know that answer. He's the one that will dictate that more than anything else," Dombrowski continued. "… I don't think he's content with the year that he had. Again, it wasn't a bad year. But when I think of Bryce Harper, you think an elite, you think one of the top 10 players in baseball and I don't think it fit into that category. Again, very good player. I have no idea. I have seen guys at his age—he's not old— that level off. I've seen guys rise again. We'll see what happens."

Phillies manager Rob Thompson said of Harper, “I think he is highly motivated to have the best season of his career next year. That's what the plan's gonna be for him. He played in 132 games and hit 27 home runs, that's pretty good. … It was down a little bit, but still, over an .840 OPS, that's pretty good."

Over the 2025 season, Harper slashed .261/.357/.487 with 27 home runs, 75 RBIs and a .844 OPS across 132 games. Harper's batting average marked his lowest since '19, his first season in Philly, and his OPS was his worst since '16, when he was still part of the Nationals.

Though Harper is a Gold Glove finalist and was an All-Star last year, Dombrowski questions whether he can return to being an elite player going forward. Either way, the Phillies remain tied to Harper for the long-term, as Harper still has six years remaining on the 13-year, $330 million deal he signed with the team in 2019.

When the Blue Jays signed All-Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year, $500 million contract extension in April, the news was met with some mixed responses from the general baseball public.

Here was a homegrown star, a born Canadian who, with just one year left until free agency and after a lengthy and at times testy negotiation process, was pledging to spend the rest of his career in Toronto. For an MVP-caliber player entering his age-26 season, it was the kind of day that organizations dream about.

Except there was a way to view the decision as a desperation move, one made by a gambler who’s barely hanging onto their seat at the table deciding to push a dwindling chip stack all in. The Jays were coming off of a last-place finish that followed three playoff runs in four years, each ending with a wild-card round sweep. To some (including a certain writer), the organization’s contention window was closing, if not already shut. In gambling parlance, this was throwing good money after bad.

Four-plus months into the 2025 season, and it appears that Toronto’s big bet is paying off.

Entering play on Wednesday, the Blue Jays have the best record in the American League. Playoff odds that began at 40% on Opening Day, per FanGraphs, have soared to 98.7%. Barring a horrible collapse, Toronto will be alive and well in October, and has a good chance of earning a spot directly into the division series.

Beyond simply pledging half a billion dollars to Guerrero, the path to where the Blue Jays currently find themselves is paved with even more gambles on in-house talent returning to form and fueling Toronto’s surge.

For years, the Blue Jays have far too often (for their fans’ liking, at least) played the role of bridesmaid rather than bride. Highly publicized free agent chases of Shohei Ohtani (a private plane ride from California to Toronto carrying Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec of fame caused international confusion) and Juan Soto (agent Scott Boras said Toronto impressed the now-Met with a “great offer”) came up empty, as did bids at landing Corbin Burnes and Teoscar Hernández.

Toronto was looking high and low for reinforcements, but the big fish the organization chased weren’t biting.

And the ones that did end up joining the Blue Jays haven’t panned out as hoped. Anthony Santander, who inked a five-year, $92.5 million deal in January, managed a .179 average in 50 games before landing on the injured list. Closer Jeff Hoffman signed for $33 million, and has so far posted a 4.41 ERA with five blown saves. All-Star second baseman Andrés Giménez, acquired in a December trade from the Guardians, has battled injuries amid his worst offensive season (74 OPS+ in 62 games).

Instead of the cavalry coming to save the day, it’s been improvements from players already on the roster that have spurred the Blue Jays’ climb.

Los Angeles Dodgers longtime ace Clayton Kershaw made history on Wednesday night in a six-inning outing against the Chicago White Sox, becoming just the 20th pitcher to record 3,000 career strikeouts. Kershaw's family, including his wife Ellen and four children, were on hand at Dodger Stadium to witness the incredible feat—and their reactions didn't disappoint.

Facing White Sox third baseman Vinny Capra in the top of the sixth inning, Kershaw, on a 1-2 count, delivered a slider for a strikeout looking—and the historic achievement. Up in the stands, his wife Ellen raised one arm in the air and burst into tears as his children jumped up and down in excitement.

Then, in what was likely his favorite part of the night, Kershaw shared a sweet moment with his family in the clubhouse after the Dodgers' walk-off win capped off the memorable night.

Kershaw is just the fourth left-hander to accumulate 3,000 career strikeouts, and one of just three active pitchers, including Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, to achieve the feat.

انتهت منذ قليل، مباراة المصري البورسعيدي، أمام نظيره زيسكو يونايتد الزامبي، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية 2025.

وحقق المصري البورسعيدي، فوزًا غاليًا على زيسكو يونايتد بثلاثية مقابل هدف في اللقاء الذي جمعهما على ملعب الأخير بزامبيا، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من عمر مواجهات المجموعة الرابعة لبطولة الكونفدرالية.

طالع.. ترتيب مجموعة الزمالك في الكونفدرالية بعد فوز المصري على زيسكو الزامبي

وجاءت أهداف المباراة عن طريق محمد هاشم في الدقيقة 4 وفريدي مايكل في الدقيقة 5 ومنذر طمين في الدقيقة 24 وعبد الرحيم دغموم، في الدقيقة 68 وبيتر موسوكوما في الدقيقة 87.

ورفع النادي المصري ، رصيده إلى 6 نقاط في صدارة المجموعة والتي تضم الزمالك وكايزر تشيفز وزيسكو.

ويلعب النادي المصري في مباراته القادمة ضد نادي الاتحاد السكندري، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الأولي من مرحلة المجموعات، لبطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية. موعد مباراة المصري والاتحاد السكندري في كأس الرابطة

ويلتقي المصري البورسعيدي في مباراته المقبلة مع الاتحاد السكندري ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولي من عمر مواجهات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية، ذلك يوم الخميس 11 ديسمبر.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland each missed a pair of sitters as Manchester City fell to a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United which threatens to derail their Premier League title charge. City's two big-game players froze at St James' Park and Harvey Barnes grabbed the headlines instead, giving Newcastle the lead and then snatching the winner after Ruben Dias' deflected equaliser.

The first half witnessed the highest amount of 'Big Chances' created in the league this season and it felt like a competition to determine who could miss the most glaring opportunities. Haaland dinked the ball wide after a wonderful through ball from Jeremy Doku and then aimed straight at Nick Pope after a cut-back from Nico O'Reilly. Foden missed an even better opportunity when he fired wide of the far post after playing a one-two with Rayan Cherki. Newcastle were equally guilty of wastefulness. Nick Woltemade sent a shot and a header too close to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Barnes had the reddest face of all, though, somehow missing the target from point-blank range when meeting a sweeping ball across the box.

City had two penalty appeals turned down, first when Foden fell from a tackle by Fabian Schar – albeit after getting his shot away – and then when a Doku shot hit the arm of Malick Thiaw.

The second half was less frenetic but it delivered on the goals front. Barnes compensated for his glaring miss by nailing the ball into the bottom corner to put Newcastle in front in the 64th minute. The Magpies' joy did not last long as Dias pulled a goal back for City with the help of a big deflection off Schar, but Newcastle came straight back at Pep Guardiola's side, capitalising on some poor goalkeeping from Donnarumma to bundle the ball in after Bruno Guimaraes had headed against the bar.

The goal was given after a long VAR check for offside, meaning City had eight minutes of additional time to find their way back. But it was no use and they had to digest a fourth defeat in just 12 Premier League games, handing a massive advantage in the title race to Arsenal, one day before the north London derby.

GOAL rates Man City's players from St James' Park…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

Played with fire when his short pass to Foden in the first minute was intercepted then did well to get his body in front of the three Woltemade efforts. There was nothing he could do to stop Barnes' arrow although he made a mess of the two crosses leading to the second.

Matheus Nunes (5/10):

Struggled to handle Barnes for much of the game. Had a good first-half from an attacking point of view although his threat faded.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Couldn't stop the move leading to the opener although it wasn't a big error. Got lucky with the equaliser.

Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

Made a brilliant goal-line clearance just before the second goal. Despite that, he struggled to contain many of Newcastle's breaks.

Nico O'Reilly (6/10):

Good going forward although his botched clearance led to Newcastle breaking the deadlock.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Bernardo Silva (5/10):

Didn't give Gonzalez enough support when doubling up with him in holding midfield and didn't manage to control the game with possession.

Nico Gonzalez (5/10):

His good run of form vanished as he was overwhelmed in midfield.

Phil Foden (4/10):

Uncharacteristically sloppy in front of goal. He normally buries both of the efforts that came his way, especially the one in the first half which opened up perfectly for him.

Getty Images SportAttack

Rayan Cherki (5/10):

Had a couple of nice moments such as setting up Foden and keeping the move alive for the equaliser but overall didn't get too involved in the game.

Erling Haaland (4/10):

A bad day at the office, perhaps feeling the effects of firing Norway to the World Cup. Couldn't get his 100th Premier League goal despite having three chances, two of them you would normally back him to score.

Jeremy Doku (7/10):

The one City player who could be pleased with their performance. Created lots of danger in the first half and on another day would have won a penalty for handball.

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Savinho (5/10):

Lashed a wild shot over and wide when he should have hit the target.

Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

Gave City more urgency going forward.

Oscar Bobb (5/10):

No magic moment like his winner in 2024 as he struggled to get into the game.

Omar Marmoush (N/A):

Replaced Foden in the 87th minute.

Pep Guardiola (5/10):

Has to be disappointed with how open his side were, conceding a hatful of chances even before the goals arrived. And all the momentum from the Liverpool win is gone.

Micky van de Ven has admitted he might never top his wonderful solo goal he bagged in Tottenham's 4-0 win over Copenhagen this month. The defender was speaking after Netherlands' disappointing 1-1 draw against Poland in Warsaw on Friday, a tie that saw the 24-year-old take off on another of his patented lung busting sprints forward with the ball.

• Van de Ven's patented lung busting runs for club and country

  The 24-year-old was responsible for a rare highlight during the Oranje's frustrating evening in Poland. In the 17th minute, he won the ball back deep in his own half, setting off on another length  of the field dribble that saw him ride multiple challenges before eventually winning a free kick in the attacking third. 

  It inevitably drew comparisons to Van de Ven's exploits for his club, with journalists asking if he thought he could replicate his scarcely believable solo effort from the week prior. That prompted the rapid defender, who was playing as a left back in Ronald Koeman's side, to admit he will likely never top his effort against the Danish champions. 

  Van de Ven called the reaction to his goal "chaos", revealing that he was inundated with messages after the game. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Van de Ven: "A better goal will be tough"

  When asked whether he thought he could re-create that famous moment, the Tottenham defender replied: "That would have been nice, wouldn't it? I have to say: at one point, when that guy made that sliding tackle, I thought: 'I can keep going.' But it was difficult to maintain that pace. A better goal than the last one will be tough.

  He added: "It went viral. It was chaos. It exploded. I got it sent to me by all sorts of people, which was quite nice."

• Van de Ven's reaction to Netherlands draw against Poland

  Van de Ven did not pull any punches in his assessment of Netherlands' performance in Warsaw. The Oranje fell behind to a Jakub Kaminski goal in the 43rd minute, however, they quickly replied in the opening moments of the second half when Memphis Depay tucked home the rebound after Donyell Malen's header was saved. While the visitors enjoyed 58% of the ball, they struggled to create many meaningful chances, with Poland taking 14 shots compared to their six. Van de Ven said he and his teammates were too slow in their buildup. 

  "I think we played with too little tempo," he said. "There were few deep runs and few moments where we created anything." 

  Despite playing most of his club football in the centre of defence, the speedster has typically operated as a left back in Koeman's side. Arsenal's Jurrien Timber got the nod alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the backline against Poland, while Nathan Ake, Mathis de Ligt and Jan Paul van Hecke all started from the bench, demonstrating the quality and depth Netherlands boast at the position. With so many options, Van de Ven is content to start from the left. 

  "As far as I know, I'm simply considered a left-back," he said. 

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  Van de Ven's pace an asset in any side

  The raw speed Van de Ven has exhibited throughout his career makes him a valuable asset to both club and country, regardless of his starting position. While he may never score another goal quite like that effort against Copenhagen, his marauding runs forward have provided other memorable game breaking interventions. Early on his Spurs career, his assist in a 3-0 away win at Manchester United where he reached a top speed of 37.12km/h, the fastest run of any player in the 2024-25 Premier League season, announced him to the English football public in spectacular style. Those moments, plus his reliable defensive performances, have sparked rumours that the Dutchman is set to sign a lucrative new deal in north London. 

  With Netherlands all but guaranteed of a spot in next summer's World Cup, he will likely have the chance to demonstrate his freakish pace on the game's biggest stage. Oranje can confirm their spot in the tournament with a draw against Lithuania on Monday. 

Spinner takes four to restrict Northamptonshire to 189 before fifties from Sam Robson and Ben Geddes

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Aug-2025

Middlesex 192 for 6 (Robson 67, Geddes 51) beat Northamptonshire 189 (Vasconcelos 62, Gohar 4-39) by four wicketsSam Robson and Ben Geddes both struck half-centuries as Middlesex coasted to victory over Northamptonshire to maintain their hopes of a knockout place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.Robson hit 67 from 70 balls, while skipper Geddes followed up his List A best of 141 not out against Kent with 51 from as many deliveries to propel the visitors across the line at Wantage Road with 17.3 overs unused.The Steelbacks were bowled out for 189 in 38.1 overs despite a third-wicket stand of 108 between Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh, who both registered their first half-centuries of the tournament.But their last eight wickets fell for 77, with Middlesex spinner Zafar Gohar taking 4 for 39 and all-rounder Ryan Higgins 3 for 34 before weighing in with a lively 48 from 34 as his side sealed the win.Higgins, making his first appearance of the competition, had an immediate impact after his side won the toss, achieving plenty of movement as the Steelbacks were reduced to four for two.Tim Robinson departed first ball, caught at second slip off a Higgins outswinger and James Sales also failed to score, perishing in identical fashion before Vasconcelos (62 from 61) and Keogh (60 from 68) launched the repair job.Keogh drove Noah Cornwell for successive boundaries, while Vasconcelos pierced the field with regularity and capitalised on Middlesex’s decision to forgo a slip with the powerplay done.The left-hander drilled Henry Brookes to the cover fence to post his half-century, but was halted in his tracks when Keogh’s powerful straight drive thudded into his helmet at the non-striker’s end.Although Vasconcelos was cleared to resume, the blow had clearly disrupted his rhythm and when he slapped his next delivery from Luke Hollman straight to midwicket, the innings began to crumble.Ravi Bopara, featuring in his first List A game since 2019, lasted just three deliveries before he was bowled around his legs sweeping Gohar and the spinner also claimed the scalp of Keogh, neatly stumped by Joe Cracknell.Gohar picked up two more, with Aryaman Varma superbly caught by Josh de Caires at full stretch running back from midwicket and Brookes wrapped up the innings by bowling Lewis McManus.Northamptonshire’s hopes were raised when Cracknell chopped on to the first legitimate delivery of Middlesex’s reply, extending a lean run of form that has now yielded five runs in as many innings.They might also have removed Robson who, having dispatched Justin Broad twice to the rope in quick succession, edged the seamer to second slip where Vasconcelos spilled the chance.Vasconcelos made amends in Broad’s next over by snapping up De Caires, but Robson took advantage of his earlier escape with a series of leg-side clips and cover drives, advancing beyond 50 as he and Geddes built a steady alliance that realised 76.Rookie seamer Ben Whitehouse eventually made the breakthrough when Robson miscued to mid-off, but Higgins announced his arrival at the crease by thumping the bowler for two fours to keep the scoreboard ticking over.Meanwhile, Geddes unfurled a string of classy strokes off both front and back foot, driving Liam Guthrie for a straight boundary that carried him to his half-century at exactly a run a ball – only to perish straight after the drinks break, top-edging to deep square leg.It was too late to rescue Northamptonshire from a fifth defeat in seven games and, although Higgins holed out late on, Gohar swung George Bartlett over the top to confirm victory.

Arsenal summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has piled praise on two Hale End academy gems he’s noticed since his arriving in North London, claiming they boast maturity far beyond their years.

Hale End prospering with conveyor belt of Arsenal sensations

Arsenal’s academy has long been a cornerstone of the club’s identity, and in recent years, it has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most established talent factories.

Since the rise of England winger Bukayo Saka, whose breakthrough into the first team has been nothing short of spectacular, the academy’s reputation for developing technically gifted, versatile and exciting young players has only grown stronger.

Saka, who’s about to be rewarded with a brand-new contract which could make him the club’s only £300,000-per-week player, set a very high benchmark for Hale End graduates.

His success has inspired a new generation of starlets emerging from the club’s youth ranks, many of whom are now knocking on the door of the senior squad or making waves in loan spells elsewhere.

15-year-old Max Dowman is chief among them, having just become the second-youngest debutant in Premier League history behind fellow rising Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri.

Dowman, after coming on against Leeds United, marked his first Arsenal league appearance by winning a penalty for Viktor Gyokeres to fire home in a 5-0 thrashing of the newly-promoted side.

Meanwhile, left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, despite his ongoing battle with Riccardo Calafiori for a starting place this season, established himself as an England international during his breakthrough campaign last term.

The teenager started every Champions League knockout game for Arsenal in 24/25, including both of their semi-final legs against PSG, with Lewis-Skelly making 39 senior appearances in all competitions as a firm regular in Mikel Arteta’s starting eleven.

Sporting director Andrea Berta awarded both Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri with new long-term contracts in the summer to stave off interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and Mosquera has already been blown away by what he’s seen from the pair.

Cristhian Mosquera piles praise on Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri at Arsenal

Speaking to The Athletic, Berta’s recruit lavished praise on Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, saying the youngsters already “play like they’re 30” and it’s “incredible” to behold.

As Lewis-Skelly fights for his left-back spot, Nwaneri is yet to start a single Premier League game so far this season — but that is testament to the abundance of attacking quality in Arsenal’s squad.

Martin Odegaard’s new injury could free up space for the latter to accumulate more minutes, if Eberechi Eze doesn’t completely steal the number 10 role, but it is important to remember that Nwaneri is still very much in his infancy.

Interestingly, Arsenal chiefs hold very high hopes for Mosquera too, and there is a belief behind-the-scenes that their new defender could soon become one of the best centre-backs in world football.

“As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right,” Virat Kohli says in a note on his social media handle

ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-20255:48

Kumble: ‘I thought Kohli had a few more years left in him’

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a career that spanned 14 years and included 123 Tests – 68 of them as captain – in which he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85.”It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life,” Kohli said in a social media statement on Monday morning. “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”As reported on ESPNcricinfo on Saturday, Kohli had communicated his desire to retire from Test cricket to the BCCI ahead of the big five-match series in England starting June 20, for which he was expected to be part of the squad. It was learnt at the time that Kohli had been having conversations on the matter with officials of the BCCI for the past month or so.ESPNcricinfo LtdFor Kohli, it hadn’t been a particularly fruitful time in the format of late. When he scored 100 not out in the Perth Test in November 2024, it was his first century in Tests since July 2023 (against West Indies in Port of Spain), and his average, 55.10 at its peak after he scored his career best of 254 not out vs South Africa in Pune in 2019, had been 32.56 over the last 24 months.Despite that, it’s understood that the team management and selectors wanted his experience on the England tour, where India will be playing under a new captain – Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to take over from Rohit Sharma following his retirement from Test cricket earlier this week.Related

Kane Williamson shares the stardust as Middlesex Blast stint begins

Shastri: Kohli retired from Tests without regret

Pujara feels India 'need a couple of series' to figure out Kohli's replacement

Pujara: 'For Virat, Test cricket was the ultimate format'

Kohli and Test cricket gave each other their best

Apart from Rohit, R Ashwin had also retired from international cricket late last year. With Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav not in the mix at the moment, and Mohammed Shami’s form under scrutiny after his return from a long injury layoff, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah remain the only links to that phase of Indian Test cricket, where they reached two successive World Test Championship (WTC) finals, the first under Kohli’s leadership.Kohli, as well as Rohit, were included in the highest category (A+) in the latest BCCI contracts, which is usually meant for players who play all three international formats. Both Kohli and Rohit had retired from T20Is after India won the World Cup last year, and they will only be available for ODI cricket going forward.BCCI president Roger Binny hailed Kohli for his qualities as a cricketer and leader.”Virat Kohli’s name will be remembered alongside the finest ever to have graced Test cricket,” Binny said in a statement. “What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs, but his commitment to excellence in the toughest format of the game. His leadership marked a shift in how India competed overseas — with aggression, belief, and a refusal to settle for second best. He inspired a generation to take pride in the whites, and his impact on Indian cricket will be felt for decades to come.”ESPNcricinfo LtdKohli made his Test debut on India’s tour of the West Indies in mid-2011, and after a quiet start in Kingston where he scored 4 and 15 – he totaled 76 runs in five innings on that tour – Kohli first showed glimpses of his ability against West Indies at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium later that year, scoring 52 and 63. It was a struggle initially on the subsequent, ill-fated tour of Australia, where India lost 4-0, but Kohli finished the series on a high, scoring his first Test century in the Adelaide Test.Kohli’s first really big Test series was also in Australia, in 2014-15, when he scored twin centuries in Adelaide, and followed it up with centuries in Melbourne and Sydney to aggregate 692 runs for the series at an average of 86.50. By then, he was also India’s Test captain. MS Dhoni was the designated captain, but missed the first Test because of a thumb injury, leading to Kohli’s elevation. Dhoni returned for, and captained in, the second Test in Brisbane and continued in the position for the third Test in Melbourne, but retired from the format altogether after that game. Kohli took over the reins after that.A glorious period ensued, where India won 40 of the 68 games Kohli led in, losing just 17. The 40 wins made Kohli India’s most successful Test captain of all time – Dhoni with 27 from 60 and Sourav Ganguly with 21 from 49 rank below him – and, at the time of his retirement, places him at No. 4 on the overall list of captains with the most Test wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 from 109), Ricky Ponting (48 from 77) and Steve Waugh (41 from 57).The tour of England in 2018 was another high point. He was the top run-getter across the two sides in the five Tests, aggregating 583 at an average of 59.30 with two centuries. That it came after he had scored just 134 runs in ten innings on the previous tour, in 2014, made the performance that much more special. That year, 2018, was also his best in terms of aggregate for a year, when he scored 1322 runs.During his golden run, he averaged 75.93 in 2016, 75.64 in 2017, 55.08 in 2018, and 68.00 in 2019. During that period between 2016 and 2018, Kohli scored 3596 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 66.59, with 14 hundreds and eight fifties in 58 innings.