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Arsenal’s Gabriel eyes battle for Brazil berth

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Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista

Rio de Janeiro: Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has vowed to fight for a Brazil starting berth after receiving a late call-up for friendlies against France and Chile.

The 24-year-old was added to Brazil’s 23-man squad last week after injuries to David Luiz, Marquinhos and Diego Tardelli, as per reports. Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano and Corinthians centre-back Gil were also included.

Paris Saint-German’s Thiago Silva and Atletico Madrid’s Miranda are expected to be the first-choice centre-backs for coach Dunga, but Gabriel said he is ready to play if needed.

“There have always been a lot of options and they are players of the highest quality,” Gabriel said on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a good battle. I’m here to try to earn my place with humility.”

Gabriel joined Arsenal in January for 11 million pounds after an impressive 18-month spell with Spain’s Villarreal.

He admitted that he has surprised even himself with his rapid development.

“When I arrived at Villarreal, I planned to stay for two years and then try to make a move to another big club,” he said.

“I stayed a year and a half and now I have this chance with the Brazilian team. Things have happened very quickly.”

Brazil will meet France in Paris on March 26 before taking on Chile in London three days later.

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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia

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The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.

Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.

Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”

Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.

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