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Cricinfo picks out some key moments and numbers from the 2009 IPL auction

Cricinfo staff06-Feb-2009
An integral part of Middlesex’s Twenty20 Cup-winning squad, Tyron Henderson was snapped up by the Rajasthan Royals © Getty Images
The MomentsFirst trade
The first player to go under the hammer at the auction in Goa was Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait, snapped up in a matter of moments by the Rajasthan Royals for $375,000. It was a bright start for the Australians but that was as good as it got.Spiralling cost
The most closely fought bid at the auction was not for the stars, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, nor for the flavour of the season JP Duminy. Instead it was the bidding war between the Kings XI Punjab and for Bangladesh allrounder Mashrafe Mortaza. Mortaza’s base price was $50,000 but it escalated, slowly at first before gathering speed when the auctioneer felt the franchises were dilly-dallying. Only when the Kolkata Knight Riders went as high as $600,000 did Punjab drop out of the contest. Mortaza was Kolkata’s only purchase at the auction and his final value was 12 times his base price.Surprise unsold
The franchises didn’t probably consult the ICC rankings before coming to the auction. Or, if they did, didn’t take them too seriously. The ICC recently ranked Shakib Al Hasan – developing left-arm spinner, versatile batsman, and swift fielder – at No 1 on its ODI allrounders list, yet he had no bidders even at his base price of $75,000.Down, under
Australia had the most players up for sale – 18 – but only two were bought. Tait went early but after him the franchises passed over several Australian players: some, like Brad Haddin and Stuart Clark, were internationals, others like Steven Smith and Aiden Blizzard more obscure. It wasn’t until the very end of the auction that the second Australian player was bought by the Chennai Superkings: George Bailey at $50,000 was the cheapest buy at the auction.Tyron who?
Tyron Henderson. And he was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for $650,000, making him their second-most expensive player (Yusuf Pathan retains that slot). To put it in perspective, Rajasthan had paid only $450,000 and $475,000 for Shane Warne and Graeme Smith last year. Nor did they get Henderson, 34, without a fight – the Deccan Chargers kept bidding until the $600,000 mark. So what’s so special about him? Very simply, he’s the highest wicket-taker in Twenty20 matches, with 74 wickets in 62 games at an average of 21 and an economy rate below seven. He’s played for the Cape Cobras in South Africa, and Middlesex in England, and is nicknamed ‘The Blacksmith’.Bangalore’s splurge
Last season, the Bangalore Royal Challengers were mocked as a “Test” team for including the likes of Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis. They were dull, they were uninspiring and, most importantly, they were losing. Vijay Mallya, their flamboyant owner, fixed part of the problem by adding the glamour – Pietersen, for $1.55 million, whom Mallya said could be a captaincy option. The liquor magnate then added the colour by picking up New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder, who has a history of alcohol-related disciplinary issues.Big spenders to big hoarders
The Deccan Chargers blew up $3.3 million on four international players last year but this time they parted with only $250,000 – the lowest amount spent by any franchise. They had bought massive stars such as Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist last year but settled for West Indians Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith this time. Maybe they can do what the stars couldn’t – avoid finishing last in the league.The Maths44
The percentage amount unspent from a pool of $13,590,000 for all teams ahead of the auction. Deccan Chargers were the most conservative among the eight franchises, spending $250,000 out of $1.9 million. Bangalore Royal Challengers and Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, spent more than 87% of their budget.22
The number of unsold players this year out of 49 under the hammer. Shakib Al Hasan was the most notable among them, failing to win any bids despite being ranked No.1 on the ICC rankings for allrounders.2
The Australians who were picked up. Shaun Tait and George Bailey were the lucky ones out of a total of 17 up for bids.8
Million-dollar-men in the IPL after Friday. Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen were each snapped up for $1.55 million, and they join an exclusive club of six others – Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Andrew Symonds, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid – who pick up at least a million each season.1100
The percentage increase in Mashrafe Mortaza’s sale price from first bid to closure. Starting from a base price of $50,000 – the lowest among players sold – he was bought, after an intense bidding battle between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab, for a whopping $600,000. Tyron Henderson and Mortaza enjoyed an absolute increase of $550,000 from their respective base prices but Henderson’s percentage increase – 550 – was half that of Mortaza’s.

West Ham United are not ready to relinquish their pursuit of Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, however his wage demands are proving to be a major stumbling block in negotiations [Evening Standard].

Playing an important part in the Blues’ UEFA Champions League triumph in 2020/21, the French international registered five goals in 36 appearances in all competitions [Transfermarkt].

Now, Zouma has been linked with a move across London to West Ham [Evening Standard].

David Moyes is keen to add to his defensive ranks before the end of the month, whilst Chelsea are willing to let go of the 26-year-old for £25 million.

Despite this, his wage demands are said to be a problem. Zouma is reportedly asking for wages of over £100,000 a week, figures he would need to reduce significantly in order to complete any switch to East London.

In light of this news, loads of West Ham United diehards took to Twitter to express their opinion on the Zouma debacle.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to multiple West Ham fan outlets, here is what some supporters had to say about latest news:

“Move on now never gonna happen”

Credit: @oliver90820149″I really really don’t rate this player and neither do Chelsea it would seem”Credit: @costahammer”Rather we went for Tarkowski tbh, this guys not that much better than Diop imo”Credit: @ChrisTheHammers”I’m sorry don’t get it 14 +4 million agents free 19 plus small wages Milenkovic or Zouma 25 and high wages ? Older more expensive Moyes I worry about your dithering it’s going to a new level!”Credit: @Jinglis01492553″Why do these Chelsea rejects want astronomical wages? They should consider themselves lucky that a London based premier league club who are playing in Europe wants them.”Credit: @WesthamDeku_”Then give milenkovic what your willing to give him and pay the damn agent”Credit: @sharnidanc92In other news, West Ham could pounce for a Serie A ace. Find out who here.

The terror attacks in Mumbai have forced the cancellation of the ongoing ICL world series in Ahmedabad, a senior official confirmed

Cricinfo staff27-Nov-2008The terror attacks in Mumbai have forced the cancellation of the ongoing ICL world series in Ahmedabad, a senior official confirmed. ICL representatives met Gujarat government officials over the future of the tournament following Wednesday’s terror strikes in Mumbai, and later decided to call off the event.”We have decided to cancel the World Series in the best interests of all involved, particularly the teams,” Kiran More, an executive board member of the ICL, told Cricinfo. “The executive board decided that it was not appropriate to continue. We were ready with the extra security but felt the atmosphere, in the wake of the Mumbai events, was just not right to go ahead with the matches.”More stressed that all players and officials had been given adequate security while the chairman of the ICL’s executive board, Kapil Dev, said: “The teams have shown confidence in the ICL management and have supported the decision to call off the tour.”The ICL had on Thursday morning decided to call off the evening’s match between Pakistan and Bangladesh teams in Ahmedabad. The world series, involving India XI, Pakistan XI, Bangladesh XI and World XI, was scheduled to end on Saturday.

Day-night Test matches could be the only way for the five-day format to survive amid the growing Twenty20 phenomenon, according to Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland

Brydon Coverdale06-Nov-2008
Bad-light delays would not be an issue in day-night Tests © AFP
Day-night Test matches could be the only way for the five-day format to survive amid the growing Twenty20 phenomenon, Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland has said. Cricket Australia have been keen on hosting Test cricket under lights for some time, provided a suitable ball can be developed, and remain confident fans would embrace the concept.”It just might be – I’m not saying this is the case – but it just might be the only way that Test cricket stays alive,” Sutherland said. “We don’t know that, but there’s obviously pressure on Test cricket and the game.”Twenty20 has developed so rapidly that, less than four years after the first international was played, the list of short-format events includes the IPL, ICL, Champions League, Stanford 20/20 and the ICC World Twenty20, while a new southern hemisphere tournament is also in the works. Sutherland said day-night Tests could be one way of ensuring the traditional format remained relevant in the future.”It [Test cricket] might not always be the ultimate game,” he said. “We want it to be … but above everything I don’t want it to die. We just need to have other options. I’m not saying it’s [day-night Tests] going to happen and I’m not going to say it’ll happen everywhere. We just need to explore that possibility and understand that if it can be done then it might be a great way to protect Test cricket.”There are practical considerations to be dealt with before Tests can be held under lights, including finding the right coloured ball and addressing the issue of extra dewy conditions. Speaking at an Australian Cricket Society lunch in Melbourne, Sutherland said it would be important to ensure nighttime Tests did not compromise the traditions of the game to an unacceptable level.Where to for one-dayers?The one-day international has occupied a grey area since the rapid development of Twenty20. It is neither the fast and furious format that administrators see as the future, nor the most traditional version of the game. But James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, believes with a few tweaks the 50-over format could still thrive.”Although it’s only been played for 30 years, I think there’s some real tradition about one-day cricket, particularly with the World Cup, that I think needs to be preserved,” he said. “There are opportunities for one-day cricket to be differentiated a little bit more from Twenty20 cricket.”The batting powerplay, I think that’s a really good innovation. But I think we can go a step further with some innovations with one-day cricket … perhaps two innings a side or something like that, that can just mix it up a little bit.”The push for day-night Tests has been sparked largely by the desire for greater television audiences. Australia is one of the few nations where Test cricket still draws consistently large crowds but the administrators are keen to boost the overall viewing numbers by making the game a more attractive television option, which they hope would be achieved with a slot in primetime. Sutherland said Twenty20 viewing patterns and attendances had changed the nature of the game.”Cricket in itself in order to survive needs to respond to the demand for the game,” Sutherland said. “Cricket’s a very popular sport, it’s arguably the second most popular sport in the world and people watch the game all around the world, but they really watch the game properly on television when it’s played at night.”The important thing is that we find the right balance for Test cricket to fit in with the other forms of the game. Test cricket obviously faces its own challenges in this day and age because it’s a long form of the game that’s played during the daytime, which necessarily includes playing over weekdays when not as many people can get to the matches.”All of those things combine together to make Test cricket in a commercial sense less appealing than the other forms of the game. And it doesn’t work the same way for television and it doesn’t work the same for sponsors and other partners of the game. That’s not to say that it’s a better game or a worse game – it’s just the reality of the nature of the game.”

Jack Clarke has been elected as the new chairman of Cricket Australia following the retirement of Creagh O’Connor, who held the position for three years

Cricinfo staff24-Oct-2008
Jack Clarke, the new chairman of Cricket Australia © Getty Images
Jack Clarke has been elected as the new chairman of Cricket Australia following the retirement of Creagh O’Connor, who held the position for three years. Clarke, a solicitor from South Australia, was appointed at Cricket Australia’s annual general meeting in Melbourne.A director of Cricket Australia since 1999, Clarke was made deputy chairman last year and his accession to the top job was a formality. A former player for Glenelg in Adelaide’s club cricket, Clarke has sat on the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) board for 21 years.O’Connor, who like Clarke is on the SACA board, has resigned not only from the chairmanship but from the board itself. In his parting address, O’Connor said the major issue for Cricket Australia and the state organisations in the next few years would be striking the right balance between investing in grassroots cricket and at the elite level.Clarke said O’Connor would be remembered for outstanding service to Australian cricket. “In particular,” Clarke said, “Creagh has won the respect of the global cricket community for his measured diplomacy at a time of complex international issues which have been managed on a culturally diverse world stage.”

With tours by New Zealand and Zimbabwe A postponed, the board hopes the functioning of the High Performance unit will bridge the gap between the levels of cricket in Bangladesh

Mohammad Isam11-Aug-2017Training camps and tours for the High Performance unit are ensuring that Bangladesh’s fringe players stay fit in the absence of A-team cricket. Bangladesh A have been made to wait for cricket after visits from New Zealand and Zimbabwe A were postponed last month but Akram Khan, BCB’s cricket operations chairman, has said that Ireland A are likely to tour later this year.Currently, the senior men’s team are preparing for the series against Australia, while the HP unit is being run under new head coach Simon Helmot. The Under-19 squad have also begun training for the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand. The Bangladesh A team, however, have not played a series since the tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa in October 2015.Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has also highlighted the importance of A-team cricket for the country.”Since we haven’t been able to keep the Bangladesh A team active, we have instead ensured that our HP unit has been training properly and touring too,” Akram said. “They have toured Australia last month and will go to England next month to play against county second XIs. We were in talks with New Zealand and Zimbabwe for A team tours but they aren’t coming. Ireland A are supposed to come later this year.”The current HP squad includes eight international players. But some of the country’s top domestic performers over the last three seasons — Shahriar Nafees, Nasir Hossain, Tushar Imran – have been waiting for a higher standard of cricket to strengthen their push for spots in the senior team.Among the ten uncapped players who were in the Bangladesh A team during tours to India, Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2015, five have made their international debuts including Mossadek Hossain, Nurul Hasan and Kamrul Islam Rabbi. Players like Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Mosaddek and Taskin Ahmed have also made the senior side without much representative cricket after playing at the age-group level.Despite plenty performing players in domestic cricket, the selectors aim to pick those with the technical and mental ability to tackle the higher levels in the A side. In the previous two years in Bangladesh though, there has been a substantial gap.

Also: the most team changes made by a country in successive one-day internationals, and highest individual Test scores in the second innings

Steven Lynch30-Jun-2015I noticed that Brendon McCullum’s two highest Test scores have come in the second innings of the match. What’s the record in this regard? asked Murtaza from Canada
It’s true that Brendon McCullum’s two highest Test scores – 302 against India in Wellington in 2013-14, and 225 against India in Hyderabad in 2010-11 – both came in New Zealand’s second innings. His next-highest of 224 – also against India – was in the first innings at Auckland in 2013-14, a week before that triple-century. The batsman who enjoyed the second innings the most turns out to be Bangladesh’s Al Sahariar, whose seven highest scores – ranging from 71 down to 34 – all came at the second attempt. Six batsmen – Ali Bacher (South Africa), Hanson Carter (Australia), Harry Cave (New Zealand), Junaid Siddique (Bangladesh), Pommie Mbangwa (Zimbabwe) and Shane Shillingford (West Indies) – all recorded their five highest scores in the second innings. Of that group, Junaid was the only one to make a century (106 against England in Chittagong in 2009-10), while Mbangwa’s scores ranged from 8 to 3. His highest first-innings score was 2 not out. In all Mbangwa collected nine ducks (and eight no-outs) in 25 Test innings.Moving to the reverse stat – highest scores in the first innings of a match – the leader is something of a surprise. For much of his career, Tom Graveney seemed to be labelled as having a suspect temperament … but his 23 highest Test scores all came in the first innings. Joel Garner comes next with 20, ahead of his fellow West Indian Brian Lara – whose epic 153 not out to seal a one-wicket victory over Australia in Bridgetown in 1998-99 was his highest second-innings score in Tests, but his 16th-highest overall. The other first-up specialists, with their 15 highest scores all coming in their teams’ first innings, are Marvan Atapattu, Michael Clarke (to date) and Steve Waugh.Mustafizur Rahman took five wickets in both his first two one-day internationals. Has anyone done this before? asked Mukhtar Hossain from Bangladesh
The 19-year-old fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman began his one-day international career with 5 for 50 against India in Mirpur, and added 6 for 43 in his second match, also in Mirpur. The only other bowler to start his ODI career with five-fors in his first two matches is another left-arm paceman – Brian Vitori of Zimbabwe, who took 5 for 30 on debut, against Bangladesh in Harare in August 2011, and added 5 for 20, also at Bangladesh’s expense at Harare, two days later. Mustafizur has 13 wickets after three ODIs, edging out Vitori, Ryan Harris, Imran Tahir and South Africa’s Juan “Rusty” Theron (11 each).Brendon McCullum’s two highest Test scores came in the second innings•Getty ImagesWho has scored the most centuries in one-day internationals while chasing? asked Mohit Yadav from India
Unsurprisingly perhaps, the man leading the way here is Sachin Tendulkar: 17 of his record number of 49 one-day international centuries came in the second innings of a match. He might be overhauled fairly soon, though: Virat Kohli already has 14 hundreds while chasing. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chris Gayle are a bit further behind with 11, while Sanath Jayasuriya and Saeed Anwar both made 10. If you restrict it to successful run-chases, it’s even closer: Tendulkar scored 14 centuries in matches India won while batting second, while Kohli has 13 so far. Dilshan, Jayasuriya and Saeed Anwar made nine.New Zealand’s Andrew Mathieson took a wicket with his first ball in one-day internationals. How many others have done this? asked Keith Ellis from England
The Central Districts seamer Andrew Mathieson became the 20th bowler to take a wicket with his first ball in one-day internationals when he had Jason Roy caught at point during the final match against England at Chester-le-Street last week. The only other New Zealander on the list is Shane Thomson, who dismissed India’s Mohammad Azharuddin with his first delivery in Dunedin in 1989-90. The first to do it was England’s Geoff Arnold, against Australia at Old Trafford in 1972. For the full list, click here.What’s the highest ODI total that doesn’t feature a century? And what’s the Test record? asked Danish Syed from the United States
The highest total in a one-day international without a century is South Africa’s 392 for 6 against Pakistan in Centurion in 2006-07, when the highest individual score was Jacques Kallis’s 88 not out. Next comes England’s 365 for 9 against New Zealand at The Oval earlier this month, when the highest individual contribution was 88 by Eoin Morgan. The Test record is India’s 524 for 9 declared against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976-77, when the highest individual score was just 70, by Mohinder Amarnath, one of six half-centuries in the innings. That record almost went in Perth in December 2009, when the highest score in Australia’s 520 for 7 declared against West Indies was Simon Katich’s 99.What’s the most team changes made by a country in successive one-day internationals? Has anyone gone out with a completely new team? asked Gurjit Singh from India
The only cases of a team fielding an entirely new team in what were successive one-day internationals for them came about because of a big gap between fixtures – Canada didn’t play any official ODIs between the 1979 World Cup and the 2003 one, so understandably their teams were entirely different. The same happened for the UAE, between the 1996 World Cup and their inclusion in the 2004 Asia Cup.There have been three cases of a team showing ten changes from the previous ODI, and again there were reasons. Australia’s team for their first ODI against West Indies in St John’s in 1977-78 showed ten changes from their previous one, against England at The Oval in 1977, as most of the players from that one were unavailable after signing up for Kerry Packer. Something similar happened in reverse for West Indies: most of their team for the final match of that 1977-78 Australian series, at Castries, were replacements for Packer players – who were back for their next ODIs, in the 1979 World Cup. Then in 2009 a contracts dispute meant West Indies had to make ten changes for successive ODIs, against India in Gros Islet on July 5, and Bangladesh in Roseau on July 26. England’s team against Ireland earlier this season showed nine changes from the one that competed at the World Cup, against Afghanistan in Sydney in March.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to face Southampton at St Mary’s tonight looking to secure their first win in six attempts after a dismal run of form under Ange Postecoglou.

The Lilywhites have lost two and drawn three of their last five, with the last victory coming against Manchester City at the Etihad nearly a month ago.

Injuries have decimated the first-team squad, resulting in various players featuring in unnatural roles just to be able to make up the numbers, but the pressure has still been mounting on the Aussie after recent matches.

Tonight presents a great opportunity to return to winning ways against a Saints side who currently sit bottom of the Premier League, picking up just one win in their first 15 outings.

However, despite their lowly league standing, St Mary’s has been a tricky place to visit for Spurs over the last couple of years, with a surprise potentially on the cards – which would in turn pile more pressure on the 59-year-old.

Spurs’ recent record against Southampton at St Mary’s

After their relegation to the Championship in the 2022/23 season, this evening’s game will be the first clash between the two sides in 21 months, with the last meeting coming at the home of the Saints.

However, true to their recent record in the last few matches, Spurs were unable to claim all three points, drawing 3-3 in a game where former boss Antonio Conte produced an infamous rant after the final whistle.

Harry Kane, Ivan Perišić, and Pedro Porro were all on the scoresheet that day, but a catalogue of defensive errors cost them dearly – something which could be said in the present day too.

Their last win on the South Coast came way back in September 2020, claiming a convincing 5-2 win, with current captain Heung-min Son scoring four that day.

However, if Ange is to claim a similar result in the trip this evening, he must brutally drop two players who have failed to impress for the club in recent weeks.

18/03/2023

3-3

Draw

28/12/2021

1-1

Draw

20/09/2020

5-2

Win

01/01/2020

1-0

Loss

09/03/2019

2-1

Loss

The players Ange needs to drop ahead of Southampton clash

Timo Werner was dragged off at halftime in the recent Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday night, rightfully so after his dismal showing during the first 45 minutes.

The German forward was blasted by the Aussie in his post-match interview, claiming he’s not at the level expected of an international-level star, undoubtedly putting his starting role at risk tonight.

However, he’s not the only player who must be dropped, with Son needing to be brutally dropped after his recent lack of impact within the final third.

The “incredible” South Korean, as dubbed by boss Postecoglou, has been a fan-favourite during his spell in North London but has struggled as of late, scoring just once in his last four matches, coming in the embarrassing defeat to London rivals Chelsea last weekend.

He also only managed one shot during the recent clash north of the border with Rangers, only completing one of his four attempted dribbles, losing possession 10 times and looking wasteful in possession.

Such a poor run of form could see him lose his starting role on the South Coast, potentially pushing Dejan Kulusevski into a more attacking role alongside Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson at the top end of the pitch.

It’s pivotal that Spurs return to winning ways tonight, ending their dismal run of form and putting their campaign back on the right track.

However, if they lose the clash, Ange’s job could be in danger, given the dreadful run of results. This is why he must brutally drop Son and potentially inject some fresh blood into the forward line to hand him the best chance of ending their current slump.

Ange has found Spurs' new Soldado in "astonishing" transfer flop

The poor signing is becoming Spurs’ new scapegoat.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 13, 2024

He played one Test for Australia on the 1956 tour of India, becoming the first WA-based player to earn a baggy green

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Apr-2022John Rutherford, the first Western Australian-based player to be selected for Test cricket, has passed away at the age of 92.Rutherford is part of Australia’s one-Test club having played his only Test match on the 1956 tour of India, that was held on the way home from the Ashes series that year.Related

The underdog who remained unbeaten

The right-handed opener made 30 and took a wicket in the second innings, dismissing Vijay Manjrekar at the Brabourne Stadium in the drawn match.Rutherford, who hailed from Bruce Rock, a small country town 243km east of Perth, played 67 first-class matches between 1952-53 and 1960-61 scoring 3367 runs at 31.76 with six centuries and 15 half-centuries.WA had no official Test representatives prior to Rutherford’s debut, although WA-born Ernie Bromley played two Tests for Australia in 1933-34 after moving from WA to play for Victoria. WA began playing first-class cricket in 1892-93 but were not formally invited into the Sheffield Shield competition until 1947-48.In an interview with ESPNcricinfo in 2015, Rutherford outlined in detail the barriers he faced as a WA-based player trying to earn selection into Australia’s Test team ahead of the 1956 tour of England, Pakistan and India.Rutherford’s career ended suddenly at 31 when he suffered a stroke on the field while captaining WA in a tour match against West Indies in 1960.While Rutherford struggled for opportunities at Test level, he paved the way for a generation of WA Test greats that followed with Graham McKenzie, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh becoming household names over the following two decades.WA Cricket chief executive Christina Matthews paid tribute to Rutherford after his passing.”John Rutherford played an enormous role in placing WA Cricket on the map, at a time when the national side was dominated by players from the eastern states,” Matthews said.”He was a talkative and charismatic personality, and his passion for cricket was infectious.”On behalf of everyone at WA Cricket and the State’s cricketing community, we send our deepest condolences to the Rutherford family.”

Bayer Leverkusen came back in spectacular fashion against Stuttgart in 4-3 Bundesliga win, and have now closed the gap to Bayern Munich to six points.

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Bayern draw 1-1 with StuttgartLeverkusen snatch 4-3 comeback winOnly six points separate the two sides nowFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Kane is looking to win his first-ever major trophy with Bayern Munich, but the Bavarians could only draw 1-1 in their latest game against Union Berlin, which gave the reigning Bundesliga champions the chance to close the nine-point gap to their arch-rivals. Xabi Alonso's side did exactly that in a dramatic trip to Stuttgart on Sunday.

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For a long time, it looked like Leverkusen were set to drop points again after they went two goals down. Jeremie Frimpong then halved the hosts' lead, but Granit Xhaka restored Stuttgart's two-goal advantage as he put the ball in his own net. However, Leverkusen pulled off one of their classic comebacks as a Piero Hincapie goal and an Angelo Stiller own-goal drew them level before Patrik Schick grabbed a 94th-minute winner, which sent Alonso and the away bench into raptures.

Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE…

Bayer Leverkusen have brought the gap to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race down to six points, triggering conversations about whether 'the Kane curse' may strike yet again and see Vincent Kompany's side throw away what has looked like a certain title win for months now.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE TITLE RACE?

With just eight Bundesliga matchdays remaining until the end of the season, Bayern Munich are still in control of their own destiny and it would take a monumental collapse for Leverkusen to overhaul them. Bayern will be back in action when they take on St. Pauli after the international break, while Leverkusen lock horns with Bochum.