Jammu and Kashmir’s Shubham Pundir celebrates his century (PTI Photo)

Ranji Trophy finals are often marathon affairs, and the ongoing summit clash between Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka is following that script. After J&K posted a commanding 584 in their first innings, Karnataka reached 35 for one at lunch on Day 3 but slipped to 98 for four in the second session.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With plenty of time left but a large deficit to overcome, a draw remains a possibility. Unlike league matches, however, the Ranji Trophy final must produce a winner. Thankfully, one key rule provides clarity: the first-innings lead determines the champion if no outright result emerges.

Essentially, if neither side can bowl the other out twice or chase the target, the team with the higher first-innings total claims the trophy. This ensures that sustained performance over the longer format is rewarded, particularly in multi-day matches where weather or pitch conditions can prevent a definitive finish.Here’s how the current final could play out:Scenario 1 – Karnataka take the first-innings lead:If Karnataka surpass J&K’s 584 by scoring 585 or more, they will gain the crucial first-innings advantage. Even if the match ends in a draw afterward, Karnataka will be crowned Ranji Trophy champions. This is the simplest path to the title for the southern side, though it demands overcoming a massive deficit.Scenario 2 – Jammu & Kashmir retain their lead:Should Karnataka fall short of 584, J&K will maintain the first-innings advantage. In that case, irrespective of remaining time or a drawn result, Jammu and Kashmir will be declared champions. Their strong batting performance and early bowling control currently put them in a commanding position.Scenario 3 – External interruptions:In the unlikely event of rain or other factors preventing Karnataka from completing their innings and no first-innings lead is established, tournament rules can default to group-stage points or prior performance. Nonetheless, the first-innings lead is typically decisive in finals.Jammu and Kashmir’s 584 was built through disciplined partnerships and lower-order resistance, giving them a strong platform. Their bowlers have also applied early pressure in Karnataka’s reply, removing key batsmen KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Smaran Ravichandran, and Karun Nair.Also See: IND vs ZIM

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Strike rate 331.58. Seven fours. Five sixes. That is not just a stat line — it is a statement. And it had the unmistakable stamp of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi all over it. The young India star once again lived up to his reputation of taking bowlers apart from the very first ball, hammering a breathtaking 19-ball 63 for DY Patil Blue against Indian Navy in the ongoing DY Patil T20 Cup. With IPL 2026 just over a month away, the timing of this assault could not have been more ominous.

Chasing 220, Vaibhav wasted no time settling in. Sixteen runs came off the first four deliveries he faced. By the end of just 12 balls, he was already on 43 — bowlers scrambling, fielders scattered, and the tempo of the game firmly hijacked.His half-century arrived in the fifth over — a six followed by a four — in just 14 deliveries. He added another towering maximum before walking back for 63 off 19 balls, striking at a staggering 331.58.For those who have followed his rise, this is hardly surprising.Vaibhav first shook the IPL in 2025 when he blasted a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest centurion in the league’s history and the fastest Indian to a century in the tournament. That innings announced the arrival of a new-age aggressor — fearless, unapologetic, and relentlessly attacking.His dominance continued in the Under-19 circuit. In 25 Youth ODIs, he piled up 1,412 runs at an average of 56.48 and a remarkable strike rate of 165.72. Four centuries and seven fifties followed, including a stunning 175 off just 80 balls in the U19 World Cup final — an innings that sealed India’s triumph.Even off the field, Vaibhav has done things differently. He made headlines for skipping his Class X board exams to prioritise cricket — a decision that now seems vindicated by the numbers.In 18 T20s so far, he has amassed 701 runs at a strike rate of 204.37, crossing 150 in 12 innings — a testament to his consistency in high-tempo cricket.At the DY Patil T20 Cup, he simply carried that momentum forward.While Kuwar Pathak’s 87 and Nitin Tanwar’s unbeaten 57 powered Indian Navy to 220, the spotlight inevitably swung back to Vaibhav. Yash Dhull (12 off 8), Sarfaraz Khan (27 off 19), Shashank Singh (20 off 12), Anand Bais (35* off 24) and Arjun Tendulkar (55* off 29) all chipped in — but it was Vaibhav’s blitz that set the tone.And if this was meant to be a warm-up ahead of IPL 2026, bowlers across franchises would be watching closely.Also See: IND vs ZIM Live Score

Benfica have strongly refuted claims that Gianluca Prestianni confessed to racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Portuguese media reports suggested the Argentinian winger admitted guilt to his squad but the club firmly stated this was untrue.

Prestianni himself denies the accusation.

“Benfica categorically denies that player Prestianni communicated to the squad or the club’s management that he had uttered a racist insult against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior,” said a statement.

“As has already been made public, the player apologised to his team-mates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting its magnitude and consequences and assuring everyone, as he has done from the very beginning, that he is not racist.”

Prestianni was provisionally suspended for Wednesday’s Champions League play-off defeat against Real after Vinicius alleged he was racially abused by the Argentinian in the first leg.

The Brazilian left the field and refused to return, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes in Lisbon.

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho was roundly criticised for his comments about the incident after appearing to intimate the winger had brought any abuse upon himself with his goal celebration, saying “a stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always”.

On Wednesday evening, Vinicius Jr scored the winner as Real Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 on the night.

Benfica had levelled the tie when Rafa Silva bundled home from close range after 14 minutes.

But the lead lead lasted only two minutes as Aurelien Tchouameni swept home superbly from the edge of the box for his first Champions League goal.

The contest was still finely balanced when Vinicius broke through 10 minutes from time and stroked the ball home for a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Real Madrid fans displayed anti-racism banners before kick-off – and ultimately it was the Brazilian who had the final word as the Spanish giants reached the last 16 of the Champions League.

There is a 10-game NBA schedule on Thursday night, perfect for claiming the newest Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS, which offers new users a $10 cash bonus after $10 in trades. One of the biggest games of the day is Suns vs. Lakers in a Western Conference showdown at 9 p.m. ET. Phoenix is without its top two scorers due to injury, giving other players an opportunity to step up. One of those players is shooting guard Jalen Green, who is still trying to find his role after missing most of the season thus far. 

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model enters Week 19 on a sizzling 38-18 roll on top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its advice could have seen huge returns.

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Jalen Green, Suns, 20 points or more ($0.58 per share)

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Miles Bridges, Hornets, 6 or more rebounds ($0.56 per share)

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Josh Giddey, Bulls, 6 or more assists ($0.64 per share)

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The men’s team was criticised after several players appeared to laugh when Trump made his comment, but Knight said: “I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect. That’s being overshadowed by a quick lapse.

“The guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and [is] overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”

Knight, 36, ended her Olympic career with 15 goals, the most by any US male or female player.

She said she hopes the Trump controversy proves to be a “really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry”.

She said: “Women aren’t less than, and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.”

Victor Osimhen has explained why he chose not to celebrate after scoring a vital goal for Galatasaray in their dramatic Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday night.

Juventus claimed a 3-2 win after extra time at the Allianz Stadium, but Galatasaray progressed to the Round of 16 with a 7-5 aggregate victory.

The Turkish side travelled to Italy with a strong 5-2 advantage from the first leg in Istanbul. However, Juventus responded impressively in Turin.

Despite being reduced to ten men, the Italian club stormed into a 3-0 lead on the night, forcing the match into extra time and threatening a remarkable comeback.

Only minutes into extra time, Osimhen scored the decisive goal to restore Galatasaray’s aggregate lead and seal qualification. Instead of celebrating wildly, the Nigerian forward calmly exchanged handshakes with teammates.

After the match, Osimhen explained that his reaction was out of respect for Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, whom he worked with at SSC Napoli.

“No, I don’t need to, I don’t need to,” Osimhen said. “I think it’s important to respect a man I love and who has played an important role in my career — I’m obviously talking about Spalletti. I didn’t feel the need to celebrate.”

While happy that Galatasaray reached the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years, Osimhen admitted he was not pleased with his team’s performance.

“We played very poorly, even when they were a man down, so there was no reason to celebrate,” he added.

“Even when we had the opportunity to score the decisive goal, the one to make it 3-1, I didn’t feel the need to celebrate. I’m not that kind of player, someone who tries to hide his emotions, or who does things like that. I saw all these people applauding the Juventus players for their performance, and I can say I’m happy…”

Galatasaray will now wait for the draw to find out whether they will face Liverpool FC or Tottenham Hotspur FC in the Round of 16.

Indian cricket team (ANI)

With India gearing up for a must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai, former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has urged the team to return to their fearless, attacking approach if they are to keep their semi-final hopes alive.The MA Chidambaram Stadium is set for a high-pressure evening, with India not only needing victory but also a sizeable margin to boost their net run-rate.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Chopra analysed India’s qualification scenario and pointed out the challenges ahead.On India’s road to the semi-finals, he said, “The tricky problem for India is they need to win both of their remaining Super Eight matches, and they will also be hoping that South Africa win their games against West Indies and Zimbabwe. But if that does not happen, then the net run-rate comes into play.”Chopra emphasised that if qualification comes down to net run-rate, India must rediscover their attacking mindset. He believes captain Suryakumar Yadav has a key role to play in that shift.“That is when India will need to bring out their explosive brand of cricket. Suryakumar Yadav is the man for that role. He needs to bat at three and bat with freedom. Against South Africa, I felt he was too slow. By the time he got out, the mountain was too high for others to climb,” he said.Chopra also raised concerns about India’s current batting pattern, suggesting it lacks balance and clarity.“India have batters at the top who go hammer and tongs from ball one and lose their wicket. That puts the team in tricky situations. Then the batters who come in after are too cautious and conservative. They start eating deliveries regardless of the pitch, conditions or the bowler. They play the situation completely and fall behind in the game.”He further pointed out that this measured approach is a departure from the fearless cricket India have showcased in recent years.“This is not the brand of cricket India have played in the last two years. They took pride in saying we hammer teams and score 250, 260 or 270. But Suryakumar Yadav and his men have perhaps forgotten that formula. The template now is to score just 180-190. That is good enough on some days, but good teams chase those totals easily. India need to bring back their aggressive brand of cricket. If they don’t, their hopes of making the semi-finals could be in trouble,” he concluded.With their campaign hanging in the balance, India must deliver a commanding performance against Zimbabwe to stay in contention for a semi-final spot.Also See: IND vs ZIM Live Score

Both Illinois and Indiana advanced their respective bills in an effort to lure the Chicago Bears out of the city.

The House Public Finance Committee advanced the bill Thursday that would freeze property taxes for mega projects like a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights.

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But members of the Illinois House of Representatives adjourned without voting on the bill.

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They will not return to Springfield until March 18.

The state has thus far failed to commit to infrastructure improvements and property tax certainty.

An amendment from Chicago-area state Rep. Kam Buckner outlines tax breaks on infrastructure the state would provide to entice the Bears to build in Arlington Heights, where the McCaskey family already owns the old Arlington Racetrack.

Gov. JB Pritzker spoke about the battle over the Bears on MS NOW.

“I am not going to be shaken down, and I have set out some very clear guidelines. And my guidelines are we are not going to fleece the taxpayers of the state of Illinois. We are not going to let the Bears do that,” Pritzker said.

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The full House needs to approve the bill before Pritzker would sign it.

Arlington Heights residents and some Bears fans showed up in Springfield Thursday.

“The Bears belong in Illinois, period. George Stanley Halas would be turning over in his grave if he knew they would even get out of the city of Chicago let alone the state of Illinois,” Bears fan Marty Tadla said.

The revised mega-project bill was supposed to be heard last week, but got canceled at the last minute.

In Indiana, the state Senate passed a bill for a new Chicago Bears stadium, 45-4.

Gov. Mike Braun said on X Thursday afternoon he signed the bill.

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“We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. I’m thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana,” he said. “Now let’s get this across the goal line.”

The city of Chicago is still technically in the running to keep the Bears.