Virat will bounce back into form in Champions Trophy, says Kapil Dev

MUMBAI: Cricket legend Kapil Dev is not losing sleep over the recent lean patch of Virat Kohli and is confident that the Delhi stalwart will bounce back into form in the ICC Champions Trophy commencing on June 1.

“It (Kohli’s form) should not be (a worry). I know his ability and talent. He will bounce back. I don t see any reasons (why) he will not be among the runs,” Kapil said

“He is an important player (for the team) and if he starts getting runs, then the whole team gets motivated. If your captain starts getting runs, it s the best thing that happens,” Kapil added.

Kohli, who hammered 973 runs last season in 16 Test matches, managed only 308 runs in 10 games in the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League, with a highest score of 64, for the Royal Challengers Bangalore who were knocked out after finishing last on the league table. Defending champions India start their campaign in the tournament, being held in England, with the much-awaited group clash against arch rivals Pakistan on June 4 in Birmingham. Kapil, who led underdogs India to an unforgettable World Cup triumph in 1983, termed the present Indian bowling attack as the best and heaped special praise on young deathover specialist Jasprit Bumrah.

“When I saw Bumrah for the first time, I never expected (that he will rise). He has such a strong mind! When your action is not so clean, it is difficult to manage to bowl such good bowling line and length, yorkers. He has the strength within himself. Whatever he wants to do, he can do,” said Kapil about the Ahmedabadborn bowler. LONDON: Alexis Sanchez sank Sunderland to keep Arsenal in the hunt for Champions League qualification on Tuesday, while Manchester City all but secured a top-four place by beating West Bromwich Albion.

Sanchez scored two late close-range goals to earn Arsenal a 2-0 home victory over relegated Sunderland, while Kevin De Bruyne starred as City comfortably defeated West Brom 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

City climb to third in the Premier League, two points above Liverpool and three points clear of Arsenal, with only the teams finishing third and fourth assured to join Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal must win their final game at home to Everton on Sunday and hope Liverpool slip up at home to relegated Middlesbrough if they are to guarantee a 20th successive season of Champions League football.

As well as their points advantage over Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool also have a superior goal difference (+33 to +30).

A point at Watford on Sunday will guarantee a top-four place for Pep Guardiola’s City, but they can secure third place — and, crucially, avoid the Champions League play-off round — if they win.

A conspicuous number of empty seats at the Emirates Stadium articulated the apathy that has taken hold among Arsenal fans this season and Wenger’s team made heavy work of beating Sunderland.

They had the best of the first half, with Hector Bellerin striking the outside of the post from one of a succession of home attacks.

But rock-bottom Sunderland twice threatened on the counter-attack, with Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech obliged to save from Didier Ndong and Jermain Defoe.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford looked set to foil Arsenal in the second half, saving from Aaron Ramsey and substitute Danny Welbeck, but in the 72nd minute the hosts’ pressure told.

Granit Xhaka’s lofted pass was squared by Mesut Ozil and Sanchez volleyed in his 22nd goal of the league campaign from beneath the crossbar.

After Pickford had thwarted Sanchez, Xhaka and Alex Iwobi, Sanchez made sure of the points in the 81st minute, heading in after Pickford had blocked Olivier Giroud’s volley.

City manager Guardiola is now within touching distance of securing his minimum objective of Champions League qualification following a straightforward home win over West Brom.

After Aleksandar Kolarov’s free-kick was pushed behind by visiting goalkeeper Ben Foster and Leroy Sane had dragged wide, City went ahead in the 27th minute with a fine team goal.

Sergio Aguero’s artful backheel released De Bruyne, whose deflected cross from the left was tapped in by Gabriel Jesus.

De Bruyne doubled City’s lead within two minutes when he shaped a half-volley inside the right-hand post from the edge of the box.

Yaya Toure added a third shortly before the hour, exchanging passes with Aguero, driving into the box and slotting home.

Guardiola used the final half hour to offer Pablo Zabaleta a farewell appearance in City’s colours.

The popular Argentine right-back, who has been at the Etihad for nine years, is due to leave the club at the end of the season.

Substitute Hal-robson Kanu claimed a consolation goal for West Brom with three minutes remaining.