Italy’s captain Wayne Madsen, back, and coach John Davison during a practice session. (PTI Photo)

KOLKATA: There is a muted curiosity around the Italian cricket team. Even though the usual buzz that surrounds an international cricket match here at the Eden Gardens is missing, a tiny number of faithful did fetch up at this iconic stadium when the Italians landed for a practice session on Sunday afternoon. They will take on Scotland here on Monday, in their maiden T20 World Cup match and skipper Wayne Madsen admits there will obviously be some butterflies in the stomach.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“We had a good preparation and some great practice matches,” he said before getting down to a session in the nets. “But the real thing starts now.” The fact that they are in the World Cup sunk in when the tournament started on Saturday. “The boys are excited and they just want to go out there and play.” It helps that Scotland are their first opponents, a team they know quite well. “We have played them a number of times and we know quite a bit about them,” Madsen added.

It also perhaps helps that Scotland, a last-minute entry into the World Cup, might not be all that well prepared. A loss to West Indies on Saturday would have left them a little low.“We saw that game and gathered our points,” coach John Davison, a former Canada cricketer best known for his 67-ball century against the West Indies in the 2003 50-over World Cup, said. “The wicket looks pretty good for batting.”Incidentally, Italy do not have any natural grass turf wicket.“We play on artificial wickets,” Davison said. So, they have a number of adjustments to make: the surface, the atmosphere and the crowd. An official admitted that back home, they are accustomed to playing in front of spectators in single digits!Given that they won both their practice games against Canada and UAE in Chennai, as well as one game against Ireland in Dubai, their confidence will be quite high. A win against Scotland on Monday would be a dream start to their journey in cricket’s big league.

Thomas Draca (Image credit: Special arrangements)

NEW DELHI: When the legendary Sachin Tendulkar retired, he left the crowd with a piece of timeless advice: “Chase your dreams, they do come true.” For Italy allrounder Thomas Draca, one long-cherished dream is now within reach — meeting his idol, Hardik Pandya, during the T20 World Cup. On the field, whether with bat or ball, Draca strives to mirror Pandya’s intensity and fearless approach to the game.But his admiration doesn’t stop at cricketing skills alone. Draca also tries to emulate Pandya’s energy and demeanor off the field, reflecting the all-rounder’s professionalism and charisma in his own conduct.

“It’s my dream to play alongside him [Hardik Pandya]. I don’t really look forward to playing against him or bowling to him, but if we qualify and I get the chance to play against him or meet him, it would be an incredible experience. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to and model my game after. I’m an all-rounder too, and I really admire the way he approaches the game — the way he engages with the public and carries himself in the media. That’s something I try to emulate now,” Draca told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

“Matching his energy is tough — he’s always on top of his game. If I can mirror that as I progress, I think I’ll be on the right path for a good career. I’d love to chat with him, get some tips. He seems like such a nice guy and has been one of my heroes growing up. I love how he plays fearlessly, takes on the contest with both bat and ball, and that’s what I’m trying to do myself. If I can do a little of that, I’ll know I’m heading in the right direction,” he added.Italy, a nation long celebrated for its football domination, is set to make its maiden appearance on the T20 World Cup stage. The Azzurri find themselves in a challenging group alongside Scotland, West Indies, Nepal, and England.Despite the stiff competition, 25-year-old Draca remains confident about Italy’s chances of progressing to the Super Eights, eager to make a mark on the global stage; meet his idol Pandya and ask him the questions he has already noted in his travel diary.

“One thing I’d ask him is how much his watch is worth — he’s wearing a Royal Oak! (laughs) Just kidding. I’d also ask about his variations, especially in the back end of the innings. I really like his off-cutter and knuckleball, so I’d probably ask him about those,” he said.“Then, I’d just have a chat and try to pick his brain. Whether it’s for five seconds or five minutes, I don’t care — we’ll see how long the conversation goes,” Draca added with a smile.A ‘SPECIAL’ PENDANTThe 25-year-old Draca has been honing his skills under the guidance of legends Dennis Lillee and Carlos Brathwaite.Lillee has been mentoring him in the art of pace bowling, while Brathwaite, famous for hitting four successive sixes off Ben Stokes in the final over of the 2016 T20 World Cup to secure the title for West Indies, has been shaping his all-round game.

“I was fortunate to meet Carlos Brathwaite during a franchise stint. Over the past year and a half, he’s really taken me under his wing. I’ve flown to Barbados multiple times to work out with his S&C coach, Jamar. He’s invested a lot of time in my cricket. Carlos always tells me to stay calm and be myself on the pitch. Don’t worry about the pressure — just enjoy the game. That mindset has really helped me stay relaxed, focus on my plans, and perform,” Draca said.“I’ve also got Dennis Lillee as a mentor. He guided me when I was 17, helping me through rehab and teaching me discipline both on and off the field. He even gave me his World Series chain to wear during the World Cup, which is an incredible inspiration. I know I’ll be emotional the first time I put it on,” he added.“Having that chain around my neck reminds me of the belief these greats have in me. It gives me the confidence to keep things simple, bowl fast, enjoy the game, and perform for my country,” Draca said.

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, and his teammates walks off the field after India won the T20 World Cup cricket match in Mumbai, India (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Team India’s 29-run win over the United States in the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. While he lauded Suryakumar Yadav’s match-winning innings, Sachin also acknowledged the USA team for their spirited and energetic performance against the defending champions.India’s campaign began on a positive note with a hard-fought victory, as the USA pushed the Men in Blue but ultimately fell short by 29 runs. The match was largely decided by Suryakumar Yadav, whose brilliant 84 off 49 balls rescued India from 77/6 and helped post a competitive total of 161/9 in their 20 overs. He was the only batter to reach a half-century, displaying remarkable composure under pressure.

Sachin Tendulkar post

Sachin shared his thoughts on X, applauding both India’s finish and the USA’s fight. “A tense start, but a calm finish for Team India. When new teams step up to the occasion, cricket’s global rise accelerates — @usacricket did that yesterday, and their energy and enthusiasm was promising! They came close to giving us some nervous moments, but @surya_14kumar’s experience and composure under pressure guided India to a respectable total. Our bowlers did the rest for us. Well done Team India, always good to start on a winning note!”During India’s innings, Suryakumar Yadav smashed 10 fours and four sixes. Ishan Kishan contributed 20 off 16 balls, hitting one four and two sixes, while Tilak Varma added 25 from 16 deliveries with three fours and a six. Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/29) and Harmeet Singh (2/26) were the main wicket-takers for the USA.Chasing 162, the USA fell short at 132/8. Milind Kumar made 34 off 34 balls, Sanjay Krishnamurthi scored 37 from 31 with two sixes and a four, and Shubham Ranjane hit 37 off 22 balls, including three sixes. India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj (3/29), Axar Patel (2/24), and Arshdeep Singh (2/18), ensured the visitors could not get close to the target.India thus began their T20 World Cup title defence with a win, thanks to Surya’s composure and a collective team effort.

Team India arrives at the residence of Indian Cricket Team Head Coach Gautam Gambhir (ANI Video Grab)

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir hosted a special dinner at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday, ahead of India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla was also present at the gathering, which came as the team prepared for their second group-stage match of the tournament.Watch:India began their T20 World Cup campaign with a solid win against the United States at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 161 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs.Captain Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, anchoring the innings after India lost early wickets. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma also made useful contributions to help the team reach a defendable score. For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Harmeet Singh stood out with the ball, picking up key wickets.In reply, the USA fought hard but were restricted to 132 for 8 in their 20 overs, losing the match by 29 runs. Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, and Shubham Ranjane played fighting innings to keep the chase alive, but Indian bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh took important wickets to seal the victory.With the opening win under their belt, the defending champions will now look to continue their momentum when they take on Namibia in Delhi. The dinner hosted by Gambhir was seen as a team-bonding moment as India gears up for the crucial match on home soil.

India’s Virat Kohli with Head Coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Speculation around the equation between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batter Virat Kohli has refused to die down ever since Gambhir took charge of the national side. Their well-documented on-field run-ins during the Indian Premier League have continued to fuel chatter within the cricketing community, with suggestions that the two are still not entirely on the same page. Those claims, however, have now been firmly dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who rubbished reports of any ongoing tension between the two high-profile figures.

“I have never seen them (Kohli and Gambhir) fighting. They are in a very good cordial relationship,” Saikia said while speaking on the India Today podcast. Referring to their IPL history, Saikia added, “IPL? Maybe I didn’t see that match because I was with them when they were representing the country.” Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has coincided with significant phases in Kohli’s career. The former India captain announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2025, a decision that sparked widespread debate. More recently, Kohli’s place in India’s ODI plans for the 2027 World Cup has also been scrutinised, though much of that discussion has eased due to his outstanding run of form. At 37, Kohli is enjoying what many believe to be one of the richest purple patches of his ODI career, having struck three centuries and a score of 93 in his last six appearances for India. Questions around the Gambhir-Kohli relationship have also been linked to the BCCI’s tougher stance on senior players featuring in domestic competitions when not on international duty. Over the past year, Kohli returned to both the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy after long absences. Despite persistent rumours of friction, Gambhir and Kohli have already combined successfully at the highest level, playing key roles in India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2025, an ICC title that underlined unity rather than discord within the setup.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

The debate around Babar Azam’s place in Pakistan’s T20I setup shows no signs of easing. The former captain came under sharp criticism after a disappointing outing against the Netherlands in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Group A opener in Colombo on Saturday. Babar’s stay at the crease was brief and ineffective. Walking in after the dismissal of Salman Ali Agha, he struggled to rotate strike and managed only 15 runs from 18 deliveries, slowing Pakistan’s momentum at a crucial stage. His poor shot selection proved costly, allowing the Netherlands to claw their way back into the contest. Pakistan ultimately escaped with a win thanks largely to Faheem Ashraf’s late counterattack of 29 off 11 balls. Without it, the match could have slipped away.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali was scathing in his assessment, suggesting Babar could even be dropped for the next game against the USA. Speaking on the ‘Game Plan’ show, Ali claimed head coach Mike Hesson was visibly unhappy with Babar’s dismissal. “I have a feeling that Babar will not play in Pakistan’s next game. The anger I saw on coach Mike Hesson’s face… I don’t think that he will play Babar at no 4 again in the next game,” said Ali. Babar’s dismissal came as he attempted to take on the bowling by charging down the track. The ball was flighted invitingly, but he mistimed his lofted drive and was caught comfortably at long-off. Ali went on to question Babar’s suitability for the T20 format, arguing that his reputation does not translate into impact cricket. He pointed to the 31-year-old’s struggles in the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers ahead of the World Cup as further evidence. During a match against Sydney Thunder, Babar was denied a single off the final ball of an over by Steve Smith, who was looking to maximise the Power Surge. The incident sparked controversy, with Babar reacting angrily after his dismissal by hitting the boundary rope with his bat. “If you call Babar Azam a superstar in ODIs or Tests, I might still agree. But in T20Is? Kahaan se superstar hai? (How is he a superstar?) A batter who drops down from his regular batting position and comes out to bat at no 4, and cannot even tell the management that he’s not a no 4 batter! Doesn’t Babar know this?” said Basit. “Even a club cricketer will tell you that in T20S, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, they are all better players in the format than Babar! Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are also better T20 players than Babar. Even Salman Ali Agha has shown that he’s a better player at No. 3 than Babar. After what Steve Smith did with Babar Azam in the Big Bash League, people still haven’t become wise! He denied a single just to prevent Babar from getting on strike. His game is not suited to T20s,” he added. Notably, even before the tournament began, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had made it clear that reputation would not guarantee selection, stating that the team management would not hesitate to drop Babar Azam if he did not fit into the desired team combination.

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus. (Photo/TimesofIndia.com)

NEW DELHI: In less than 24 hours, three Associate teams came close to springing an upset in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Netherlands, the USA, and Nepal had victories in their grasp before they slipped away due to dropped catches and individual brilliance from the leading superstars of the game.Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus says it is high time the tags ‘Associate’ and “minnows” be removed from parlance attached to smaller cricketing nations.

“Teams should not tag themselves in that way,” he said after Namibia’s first training session in the national capital on Sunday.“You should not limit yourself with labels. Everyone is human, playing with the same white ball. We have enough proof to back ourselves. We beat Sri Lanka, a proper Sri Lankan team, in the 2022 T20 World Cup that had just won the Asia Cup, in good conditions in Australia. That was not a fluke. Against Ireland and Zimbabwe, we have had a positive record. So I do not believe in that tag,” he adds.The 30-year-old, who will be leading his country in a fourth straight T20 World Cup, bats for more exposure for countries like Namibia, the Netherlands, the USA, and Nepal.“Many games are decided by small moments, like a single catch. Skill levels are very close. More exposure through such games will help level the playing field. If teams across the world get that exposure, the global game will become stronger, and that will benefit everyone,” says Erasmus.Namibia’s estimated population is around three million, and in a few days they will be playing against India in Delhi. After the fight shown by the USA on Saturday evening at the Wankhede Stadium, the Namibians will back themselves to test the defending champions.“We have nothing to lose when playing against India. You can go out and enjoy it because those teams are the best in the world for a reason. They are world champions for a reason. It is about enjoying the moment and appreciating that you have earned the right to play against them,” he says.“If you approach it positively, you often get the best results.”

Limited exposure

The representation in a fourth straight T20 World Cup is a testament that cricket in Namibia is on the right path.Last October, they made history by beating their neighbours South Africa for the first time in any international format.Yet, Erasmus agrees that limited exposure, tight resources, and infrequent games against top teams remain Namibia’s biggest hurdles in international cricket.“I think it becomes difficult at a certain level because you don’t get to play the big teams very often. Because of that, the exposure is limited, and every two years when you come back to a World Cup, it feels like a big step up. That is the toughest thing to recreate,” he says.“We try to play against teams like Zimbabwe and some South African franchise sides in between to maintain that level of cricket. In that sense, it is actually a remarkable story that we can still come and compete against some of the top nations. We have beaten Sri Lanka and the Proteas, as well as Zimbabwe and Ireland. Those are Test nations.“So I think it is a great story for us, given our limited exposure and resources, to have achieved that. That is mainly down to hard work from the group of players, the backroom staff, and people investing in cricket,” he says.

Cricketing culture in Namibia

Erasmus says that although there is no first-class structure in Namibia and there are only four clubs that play in the top division in men’s cricket, the game is still growing in the country.“These days, a lot more people follow cricket. In a sense, we have overtaken rugby, which is culturally a big sport in South Africa and Namibia. Soccer is still the most participated sport, so in terms of numbers we are probably not there yet.“But the brand we have created with Namibia, the fact that people see us on streaming platforms and on TV every two years on the world stage, has created real anticipation around cricket. Getting South Africa to play in winter was a massive thing. Our ground opening, for example, was sold out.“Indian investors, streaming deals, and all of that create a brand around the game. It creates a cool stadium and good vibes, with music and live entertainment at the grounds. I think the growth over the last five years has been phenomenal,” he says.But he feels it will require a lot to improve the grassroots structure in Namibia.“The grassroots structure mainly runs through school cricket, followed by Namibia’s age-group teams: under-13, under-15, and under-19. We have tried to set up an academy and a high-performance setup over the last three or four years. That has also been difficult because it is tough to get inbound tours or go outbound due to financial constraints. Setting up a viable high-performance structure is the next step for us,” he says.When asked if there is any effort to play more red-ball cricket in Namibia, the captain gave a candid answer. “The ICC structure has changed. In the past, we used to play four-day cricket through the Intercontinental Cup, but that structure was removed around 10 or 12 years ago.”“There is no incentive for us to play red-ball cricket now because it does not feature in qualification pathways. It also does not make financial sense for us to invest in red-ball cricket,” he adds.Namibia are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and the USA. They will lock horns against the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday.

India’s Sumit Nagal (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

The Davis Cup Qualifiers tie between India and the Netherlands was dragged into a decisive final rubber on Sunday after Sumit Nagal’s reverse singles loss allowed the visitors to draw level at 2-2, wiping out the advantage India had earned through their dramatic doubles win earlier in the day.Nagal, who had given India the perfect start by taking the opening set, could not sustain the momentum as he went down 7-5, 1-6, 4-6 to world number 88 Jesper de Jong in a punishing contest that stretched close to three hours. The defeat set up a winner-takes-all fifth singles, with Dhakshineswar Suresh once again entrusted with the responsibility of seeing India through. He faces Dutch debutant Guy de Ouden, who had beaten Nagal on Saturday.

India had earlier surged ahead 2-1 after Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh edged past David Pel and Sander Arends in a gripping doubles rubber, winning 7-6 (0), 3-6, 7-6 (1) in a match that swung repeatedly over three hours.In the reverse singles, Nagal broke De Jong in the opening game and kept his errors in check early on. The Dutchman, however, clawed his way back by winning three games in succession to take a narrow lead. After trading breaks, Nagal found another lift late in the set, breaking in the 11th game and closing it out confidently with a powerful forehand winner.The conditions slowed in the second set, which initially appeared to suit Nagal’s counter-punching game. De Jong, though, wrested control with a double break to open up a 5-1 lead. Despite Nagal saving multiple break points in a long sixth game, De Jong eventually forced a decider.The Dutchman struck early in the final set and gradually wore Nagal down in a physically demanding phase. Although Nagal managed to break back once, De Jong held his nerve to seal the match and level the tie.Earlier, India captain Rohit Rajpal’s decision to pair Bhambri with Dhakshineswar in doubles proved inspired. The opening set saw Bhambri repeatedly tested on serve, but the Indian pair survived several break points before dominating the tie-break without conceding a point.The Netherlands responded in the second set as Bhambri’s serving troubles resurfaced, allowing the visitors to break and level the contest. The deciding set became a battle of patience, with India creating multiple break chances that initially went begging.The turning point came after Arends required a medical timeout for his left hand. From that moment, his serving lost its bite, and the Indians finally seized the opening to clinch the match and hand themselves a slender advantage that now rests on the shoulders of Dhakshineswar in the decisive fifth rubber.

India’s Tejaswin Shankar during the men’s decathlon event (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

NEW DELHI: India ended its campaign at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships with five medals and one gold, finishing sixth overall in the medal standings. Tejaswin Shankar delivered the standout performance for India by winning the men’s heptathlon gold, which was the country’s only gold medal at the event.Shankar scored 5993 points to win the heptathlon, breaking his own national indoor record of 5650 points set in 2021. He led from the first day and maintained his dominance across all seven events. On the final day, he clocked 8.02 seconds in the 60m hurdles, earning 977 points. He then cleared 4.20 metres in the pole vault, adding 673 points, before finishing strong in the 1000m race with a time of 2:43.91, which took his total score to 5993. Shankar is already India’s national record holder in the outdoor decathlon and won silver at the 2023 Asian Games, further proving his status as one of India’s top multi-event athletes.India’s other medal winners also impressed. Pooja won silver in women’s high jump with a clearance of 1.87 metres. Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured silver in men’s shot put with a season-best throw of 20.05 metres, narrowly missing gold. Ancy Sojan claimed bronze in women’s long jump with a best effort of 6.21 metres. Earlier in the competition, Aadrash Ram Jothi Shankar had won a bronze in high jump.China dominated the championships with 34 medals, including 10 golds, finishing comfortably on top of the table. Despite missing out on more golds, India’s athletes delivered strong performances, with several personal and season-best marks, highlighting the country’s growing strength in athletics on the Asian stage.

Bengaluru: India’s Dhakshineswar Suresh (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

Dhakshineswar Suresh announced himself as India’s newest Davis Cup match-winner on Sunday, sealing a stirring 3-2 victory over the Netherlands by clinching the decisive fifth rubber and guiding the hosts into Qualifiers Round 2. In just his second Davis Cup appearance, the 25-year-old delivered a performance that will be remembered for years. Dhakshineswar won both his singles matches and partnered Yuki Bhambri to victory in the doubles, completing a rare three-win haul in a single tie for India. The feat inevitably drew comparisons with Leander Paes’ legendary heroics against Japan in 2004, when Paes single-handedly won two singles and the doubles to carry India through. More than 20 years later, Dhakshineswar produced a similarly defining moment. Ranked as low as 465, he held his nerve under immense pressure in the final rubber against Guy de Ouden, winning 6-4, 7-6 (4). As his final forehand winner landed in, Dhakshineswar collapsed onto his back before being engulfed by teammates and lifted onto their shoulders, the celebrations marking another memorable European scalp for India. India had begun the tie as underdogs but found an opening when the Netherlands arrived without their top two singles players, world number 29 Tallon Griekspoor and world number 67 Botic van de Zandschulp. The absence gave India, ranked 33 in the Davis Cup standings, a genuine opportunity and they seized it, defeating the world number six team. The win also carried historic significance. It marked the first time India have reached the second round of the Qualifiers since the revamped Davis Cup format was introduced in 2019, moving them a step closer to the elite eight-team Finals. Korea are expected to be their next opponents. The tie was delicately poised at 1-1 at the start of Sunday’s play. Dhakshineswar and Bhambri then edged a gripping doubles contest, outlasting David Pel and Sander Arends 7-6 (0), 3-6, 7-6 (1) to give India a 2-1 lead. The match lasted nearly three hours and swung repeatedly before the home pair held their nerve in both tie-breaks. Sumit Nagal had a chance to close out the tie in the first reverse singles but could not capitalise. After taking the opening set, he went down 7-5, 1-6, 4-6 to world number 88 Jesper de Jong in a physically draining contest that stretched close to three hours. It was Nagal’s second loss of the tie, having also fallen in the opening singles. That left the responsibility squarely on Dhakshineswar, whom captain Rohit Rajpal had described as his “trump card”. Despite having already spent close to three hours on court earlier in the day in the doubles, Dhakshineswar showed no signs of fatigue as he walked out for the deciding rubber. His serve once again proved decisive. Dhakshineswar struck 15 aces and consistently dictated play behind his delivery. He earned the crucial break in the opening set in the seventh game when De Ouden committed back-to-back backhand errors. Although Dhakshineswar missed a set point in the ninth game, he regrouped immediately and sealed the set with an ace on his second chance. The second set was tighter. De Ouden fought hard to stay alive, saving a break point in the fifth game with a running forehand winner. Dhakshineswar broke again at 4-4 but then faced pressure while serving out the match, only to hold firm and force a tie-break. There, his composure and power stood out as he pulled away to close out the contest and complete a memorable win for the hosts. Earlier in the day, the doubles match had set the tone for India’s success. Rajpal’s bold decision to field Dhakshineswar in place of N Sriram Balaji for the high-stakes rubber proved inspired. The opening set was a test of patience. Bhambri’s serve came under sustained pressure, particularly in a long seventh game that featured multiple break points. Despite double faults and missed chances, the Indian pair survived, aided by Dhakshineswar’s sharp work at the net. Neither side could force a breakthrough, and the set went to a tie-break. There, the Indians suddenly surged ahead, racing to a 4-0 lead and closing it out without conceding a point, highlighted by a sharply angled passing winner from Dhakshineswar and a clean return winner from Bhambri. Momentum shifted in the second set as the Netherlands tightened up. Bhambri’s first-serve struggles returned, and the visitors secured a crucial break to level the match. The deciding set became a battle of endurance. India created several early opportunities, including a 0-40 opening on Pel’s serve, but failed to convert. Dhakshineswar then saved a break point in the next game, keeping India alive. More chances came and went before a turning point arrived when Arends took a medical timeout to receive treatment on his left hand. From that moment, his serve dipped, and the Indians finally seized control, closing out the match in the tie-break to put India within one win of victory. Dhakshineswar ensured there was no delay after that, delivering under pressure to script one of India’s most memorable Davis Cup wins in recent years.