The Minnesota Vikings have all but confirmed they will add another quarterback this offseason, probably via trade or free agency. And based on the landscape of possibly available signal-callers, San Francisco 49ers QB2 Mac Jones might move the needle. Wouldn’t you know it? He sure sounded like a guy this week who would welcome a trade.

The fit runs through Shanahan roots, a more straightforward path to snaps, and the Vikings’ need for an absolute contingency behind J.J. McCarthy.

Jones spoke to NFL.com, explaining his desire to start again, which won’t happen in San Francisco unless Brock Purdy gets injured.

Jones-to-Vikings Has Real Logic

Jones chatter in the purple rumor mill won’t die anytime soon.

Jones on His Plans to Start Again

Reporters asked Jones this week if he’d like to start elsewhere, and he replied, “Honestly, it’s a business. You know how this goes. I’ve proven I can be a starter. I’ve proven I can be a starter in multiple different spots. I have 50-plus starts or whatever.”

“I know how to do it, but it’s also a business. I understand both sides of it. If you’re a quarterback that’s a free agent or could get traded or whatever your situation is, you want to go somewhere that fits and makes sense. At the end of the day, that’s what I want in San Francisco. We’ll see what happens. It’s good to be talked about.”

He also said about the 2025 campaign, “Getting back to having fun and being around a group of guys that I really mesh well with, coaches and players. I felt like it was very laid back, but we put in a lot of work in OTAs.”

“Just for them to take me under their wing and for me to learn from all the Hall of Fame players we have, it was awesome. Kyle has been great for me. We’re really on the same … I call it ‘wi-fi.’ We’re just a really good match.”

That sounds like a man who wouldn’t mind a trade and starting gig in 2026.

Just an Insurance Policy in SF

Why does Jones want to eventually wiggle out of San Francisco? Simple — he can’t start there. The 49ers pay Brock Purdy the megabucks, and unless Purdy gets hurt again, Jones is merely an insurance policy.

Elsewhere, with the Vikings, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, or Pittsburgh Steelers, Jones could be the top guy.

It’s all a matter of San Francisco’s willingness to trade him this offseason. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan said a couple of weeks ago that they have no desire to offload Jones. Some have reasoned that 1st- or 2nd-Round draft pick might change their minds.

The Numbers in 2025

The case for Jones to Minnesota — or anywhere — is really straightforward. He started eight games in 2025, with the 49ers finishing 5-3 on his watch. If one scales his eight-game performance to a full 17 games, the numbers look like this:

• 4,570 Passing Yards
• 28 Passing TDs
• 13 INTs
• 69.6% Completion

That’s close to 2024 Darnold output, and Minnesota finished 14-3 that year.

There’s no reason to believe that Jones would arrive in Minnesota and suddenly struggle.

SI.com‘s Jose Sanchez compiled a list of Jones’s trade spots this week and noted on the Vikings, “Last, but not least, is the most obvious team — the Vikings. It was recently reported that they have Jones on their radar, which makes sense.”

“They are the most playoff-ready team on this list and can offer the 49ers a great deal. Justin Jefferson is what fans would love to hear, but that won’t happen. It’s more likely for the 49ers to get a pick and Jordan Addison from the Vikings. Minnesota gets its quarterback, while the 49ers add draft capital and needed speed at receiver with Addison.”

The Next Darnold/Mayfield?

Baker Mayfield turned his career all the way around in Tampa Bay. So did Sam Darnold in 2024 and 2025. Jones could be next.

He also opined on Darnold, who will play in the Super Bowl on Sunday: “I get asked that a lot. Everyone’s journey is so different. I feel like I’ve watched him in interviews, and he does say that learning from Kyle and Brock really changed his career. I see why now.”

“I’ve learned so much this year. I know Sam probably felt the same way (in his one year in San Francisco). You can see it on the tape, there’s a lot of crossover.”

If anyone replicates the Mayfield-Darnold path as early as 2026, it will probably be Jones. He already showed his ability to produce at an impressive level in the right system.

Jones will turn 28 in September.

Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, center, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign on a confident note, overcoming Ireland by 20 runs in their opening fixture on Sunday, thanks to a composed unbeaten half-century from Kamindu Mendis and a clinical display from their spinners. Asked to bat first, the hosts were rocked early when Mark Adair removed Kamil Mishara for six in the fourth over. Despite the early setback, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis ensured Sri Lanka finished the powerplay on solid footing, taking the score to 50 with a blend of caution and timely aggression.

The partnership added 34 for the second wicket before George Dockrell broke through in the ninth over, dismissing Nissanka for 24 off 23 balls. Dockrell struck again soon after, sending Pavan Rathnayake back for 5, leaving Sri Lanka wobbling at 68 for three after 11 overs. Ireland tightened the screws through the middle phase, drying up the boundaries and forcing Sri Lanka to crawl to 95 for four by the 15th over. The momentum shifted dramatically thereafter. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis counter-attacked with a vital 67-run stand that revived the innings. Kamindu changed the complexion of the match with a blistering burst, smashing 44 off just 19 balls, before settling into a mature unbeaten 56 off 43 deliveries. His knock guided Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 163. In reply, Ireland lost skipper Paul Stirling early, trapped by Maheesh Theekshana in the fourth over. Ross Adair showed intent but was bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga for 34, while a promising 49-run stand between Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker briefly kept Ireland in the hunt. Sri Lanka’s spinners then took control. Hasaranga removed Tector for 40 and Dunith Wellalage accounted for Tucker, triggering a collapse. Theekshana struck twice late to seal the contest as Ireland were bowled out for 143. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga claimed three wickets apiece, underlining Sri Lanka’s all-round dominance.

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.

Bernardo Silva feared the title race was over before Manchester City produced a late comeback to win at Liverpool on Sunday.

City trailed 1-0 with six minutes remaining at Anfield before rallying with a Silva equaliser and Erling Haaland penalty to triumph 2-1.

The victory took City back within six points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with 13 games remaining.

City captain Silva told Sky Sports: “For the distance that we have to Arsenal, coming here – it is the toughest place in the Premier League by far – but we needed to go for another goal.

“When I scored, I was happy but we needed another and Erling got it.

“I feel the whole team knew before the game if we lost it then the title race was probably over. We felt like we needed to win.

“The hope is there and we are going to fight until the end. We need to keep doing our job that we haven’t lately.”

It was only City’s second win in seven games and manager Pep Guardiola was not getting carried away.

Guardiola said: “Six points is better than nine, but it’s still a lot considering how strong Arsenal are in all departments.

“But 13 games is a lot in the Premier League. The FA Cup is coming, the final of the Carabao Cup, the Champions League is here. There are many games, injuries, every team playing for something.

“The last 10 games, from my experience, are not a drama but so difficult. The important thing is to be there and improve.”

The game ended in controversy as Rayan Cherki scored what would have been a third City goal from inside his own half but play was pulled back for a foul on Haaland by Dominik Szoboszlai.

Szoboszlai, who had scored Liverpool’s goal with a stunning free-kick after 74 minutes, was sent off.

Guardiola said: “Common sense, come on. I know he pulled him but how many pulls are there in a game when referees play on?

“Give a goal, 3-1, Szoboszlai can play and we’re happy.”

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was angered and disappointed by the result.

Added-time goals have cost his side eight points this season, and had that not been the case they would be comfortably third instead of sixth and five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

“I am feeling anger and disappointment because, first half, City were the better team without creating that many big chances except the one from Haaland, but the improvement we have made since three or four months ago was visible for everyone,” he said.

“It was a fantastic second half and I was expecting to be more than 1-0 up and then we conceded two goals.

“Second half, our standards went up, we were pressing them all over the place and that is the biggest improvement we have made, the whole team is now able to compete against one of the best teams in England.

“If you compare that to three or four months ago, you see so much improvement but the issue is you don’t see the improvement in the league table. That is always the most important reflection of where you are.”

The Minnesota Vikings will sign a different quarterback this offseason — perhaps a trade — but no one is too sure whether that man will be competition or insurance. If the Vikings opt for the insurance angle, just a player to step in for J.J. McCarthy gets hurt or falters, they’ll need a better plan than last year.

Minnesota can chase insurance if it wants, but the cleanest path stays centered on McCarthy and the long-term bet already in place.

While this website doesn’t necessarily pound the table for “J.J. McCarthy no matter what,” the following is the case in support of McCarthy — if Kevin O’Connell indeed puts all his eggs in the McCarthy basket.

Reasons the Vikings Should Stick With J.J. McCarthy as QB1 in 2026

Laying it out, why Minnesota might keep McCarthy as the for-sure QB1.

Youth — All the Youth

McCarthy turned 23 a couple of weeks ago. He hasn’t even approached an age to determine if he’s “bust.” That term is usually reserved for players around age 25 or so.

Minnesota drafted him at age 21, and two years in, he hasn’t taken the league by storm, missing 70% of games due to various injuries and struggling in 2025, outside of some clutch moments and about three games in December.

No NFL team should wholly give up on a 23-year-old who was drafted in Round 1 two years ago. It’s too early. It’s just a matter of whether the Vikings have the patience to let it ride or want to hedge the bet by signing another passer to compete with McCarthy.

The Famous O’Connell Quote

A year and a half ago, O’Connell said on the Rich Eisen Show, “I just think as a whole, there’s not enough emphasis put on the organization’s role in the development of the position, meaning I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.”

Little did he know, he’d get a chance to put his money where his mouth is in the 2026 offseason. If he trades McCarthy or finds a different-but-various-obvious QB1, he will have fallen victim to what he preached against.

He also said, “Just overall 30,000-foot view, I think it’s important to understand that every single one of these guys is on a journey. A very difficult journey. That they need the support, they need the teammates around them, they need the systems in place to ultimately try to maximize who they are and what their potential is because you’re still drafting players off of potential.”

“And then everything that happens from that moment to when that potential becomes a reality is really on the organization if you’ve got the right guy that you’re bringing in.”

If O’Connell truly believes his own quote, McCarthy will stay put and probably earn the QB1 job in September.

“I do believe there’s some times where things just don’t work out, and then getting a chance to kinda wipe the slate clean and get a restart while still using your previous experiences to kinda shape how you’re gonna work, why you’re gonna work, why things are important to you, will only make guys better in the end and I think we’ve seen some examples of that in our league as well over the last few years,” O’Connell concluded in September 2024.

The Sam Darnold Cautionary Tale

In March 2025, the Vikings allowed Sam Darnold to depart in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks, failing to re-sign the passer who had just tossed 35 touchdowns or franchise-tag him as tradebait.

In the 2026 offseason, failing to develop McCarthy could, in theory, set him on a path to another Darnold-like story: Minnesota drops him, and he later thrives with another team.

Do Vikings fans really want to endure this again? How about the Vikings’ ownership?

The Jared Goff Comparison

McCarthy’s career through 10 starts has begun exactly like Goff’s in 2016.

Fast forward a decade, and Goff is considered a Top 12 quarterback in the NFL. While not widespread, there is a teensy bit of precedent for players like McCarthy “figuring it out” after some initial doldrums.

McCarthy’s Performance against WAS, DAL, and NYG

When McCarthy healed from one of his many injuries in 2025, he returned for back-to-back-to-back games against NFC East opponents — mostly poor defenses — and excelled. He very much looked the part of a Top 10 quarterback, and that’s not an exaggeration based on those three games alone.

Of course, he got hurt against the Giants, stunting his momentum. That’s the story of McCarthy’s career early on.

Nevertheless, we’re not talking about a young quarterback who’s never played well. He played great, in fact, against the Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants. At a Pro Bowl level, even.

He Can Already Do the Hard Stuff

Strangely, McCarthy nailed the hard throws in 2025 but often struggled with the basics.

As recently as mid-December, Pro Football Focus‘ Nick Akridge wrote, “Putting impressive throws on tape: McCarthy’s season-long big-time throw rate is now 7.2%, tied for the highest among all quarterbacks in the NFL. There’s no denying the pressure on McCarthy. The Vikings went all-in on him as their franchise quarterback this offseason, and the early returns were uneven.”

“But development was always going to take time, and over the past few weeks, the confidence and decisiveness have clearly shown up on tape. These remaining games are crucial for his growth, and if McCarthy continues to look like he did in Week 15, Minnesota should be right back in the NFC mix next season.”

One would think that if McCarthy has the tricky throws on speed dial, he should be able to figure out the fundamentals in the backdrop with proper coaching.

Trashy quarterbacks don’t make throws like this:

A Short Leash from Ownership

While it’s tempting to cut bait with McCarthy in favor of something more comfy, there’s a very small chance the Wilfs insist that the Vikings — O’Connell in particular — sink or swim with McCarthy.

After all, if one assumes that McCarthy doesn’t work out, the next leadership regime should get a clean slate. That would include the quarterback.

This probably isn’t a stipulation from the Wilfs — they seem to adore O’Connell — but it needed to be noted for full context.

The NFL’s 6th-Best Passer from Week 14 On

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These are the numbers to know about McCarthy’s rollercoaster first season as a starter:

J.J. McCarthy,
NFL Ranking per EPA+CPOE,
2025:

Week 1-13: Last
Week 14-18: 6th

Now ask yourself: Do you really want the Vikings to give up on a guy who turned into the NFL’s sixth-best quarterback in the final month of the year, his first season ever as a starter? Does that seem smart?

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talked about his side’s title chances after their 2-1 win at Liverpool in the Premier League.

19:58, 08 Feb 2026

Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City will continue to ‘breathe down the neck of Arsenal’ as they hope to build on a rousing win at Anfield. The players celebrated jubilantly with supporters after two late goals earned them their first win in front of fans at the ground since 2003, and it also transformed the feel of their title hopes.

Bernardo Silva said after the game that City would have been out of the title race with a defeat. Matheus Nunes won a late penalty that Erling Haaland converted and Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a top stop even later in injury time to preserve the win.

Guardiola does not like judging his team on results or making sweeping judgments about their season based on one particular game, but he was particularly happy with the performance of his team at a ground where he has endured so much pain. Whether it is enough to catch Arsenal is uncertain but the manager thinks this City team has a lot of room to grow in the final 13 games.

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“I don’t buy that product, when everyone (says) before ‘the title race is over, City is not going to win today’. Because we won it’s fine,” he said. “It’s the same team. The first half against Spurs was magnificent, the top level, could be 0-3 or 0-4, but at the end we drew because we are not… you know that? But in Newcastle we were much, much better than at Spurs, today we were much better.

“I have a feeling that improving a little bit will not be enough to compete against Arsenal but still we have the margin (to improve). We have to (play them) at home, of course we have to beat them. And I’ve said, 13 games in the Premier League, from my point of view, from my little experience, is a lot of time, a lot. It’s proper.

“When you go into the last games playing any team in a relegation battle, it’s a proper game, football game. Because they live to survive and they have long weeks to prepare, (whereas) you come from FA Cup, you come from Carabao Cup, you come from the Champions League, that makes a lot of influence.”

City were able to take confidence from their midweek win over Newcastle that booked their place in the Carabao Cup final, yet at the same time it gave them less time to prepare for their Premier League game. Arsenal are also deep in four competitions and Guardiola thinks that schedule could have an impact on the title race as City look to keep the pressure on the league leaders and cut the six-point gap.

“Liverpool was all week preparing that game, we played three days ago against Newcastle. And Newcastle played on Wednesday, travelled and arrived at 2am in Newcastle I guess, Friday there and Saturday against Brentford, and Brentford have all week to prepare that game.

“That makes an influence in the title race. It’s why being nine points would be more difficult. All we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal and being there, try if they go asleep and use it.”

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New England Patriots legend Rodney Harrison appeared to take a swipe at his colleague Tony Dungy after Bill Belichick was left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

The Hall of Fame voters’ decision to keep Belichick out of Canton on the first ballot caused backlash across the NFL world. Social media began to band together to try to find the voters who decided not to give Belichick the nod.

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Rodney Harrison (left) and Tony Dungy talk on the field before the game between the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024.  (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

Dungy, the former Indianapolis Colts head coach, was accused of being one of the voters who didn’t back Belichick. He hasn’t revealed his vote and Harrison appeared to be talking to Dungy directly when he defended his former head coach.

“Any list that doesn’t include Bill Belichick at the top is absolutely wrong,” Harrison said during NBC’s Super Bowl LX coverage. “And a lot of those players that we mention, they’re great players. I played with Drew Brees, I played with Adam Vinatieri, but there’s nobody more deserving than coach Belichick.

TRUMP BRUSHES OFF BILL BELICHICK’S ‘CONTROVERSIAL’ COUPLE OF YEARS AMID HALL OF FAME SNUB

NBC Sports broadcaster Rodney Harrison during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

“I’ve seen his greatness. I’ve seen him design defenses to stop your (Dungy’s) offense. You just look at the players that he’s impacted. He’s been unbelievable. And when I look throughout the Hall of Fame … Tom BradyTom Brady wouldn’t be Tom Brady without Bill Belichick. And that’s the disappointing part of it, coach. And you guys got it wrong.”

Dungy, again, didn’t say whether he voted for Belichick, citing an “oath” he took to avoid discussing any actions behind the scenes. Out of the category that Belichick was in – with Robert Kraft, Roger Craig, Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood – he didn’t pick up enough votes. Craig was voted into the Hall of Fame out of those selections.

Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after giving up a first quarter touchdown to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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The Super Bowl champion coach took issue with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s voting procedures.

“People think we voted against Bill Belichick,” Dungy said. “We did not. In fact, the same exact vote. As a matter of fact, if the same exact vote had taken place, same totals as two years ago, Bill Belichick would have been in and so would another deserving Hall of Famer and that is why I’m upset. That is not right.”

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.