Former Juventus winger and ex-Italy international Federico Bernardeschi chimed in on the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi debate. The Bologna player heaped praise on the two icons and explained what makes the duo different from each other. While Messi was called "divine," Ronaldo was hailed as someone who "revolutionized football" and is admired by numerous athletes.

Ronaldo & Messi: Epitomes of longevity

Ronaldo and Messi will go down as perhaps two of the greatest footballers to ever exist. The duo share 13 Ballons d'Or between them, with the Portuguese winning five times and the Argentine lifting the award an unprecedented eight times. They "shared the same stage for 15 years", pushing each other to push their own limits and engraving their names in football history for eternity. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTwilight of their careers away from Europe

Ronaldo and Messi dominated world football for nearly two decades, before going their respective ways away from Europe. The 40-year-old now plies his trade for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he has already plundered over a century of goals. He's eyeing a final flourish with Portugal at next year's World Cup amid his hunger to complete 1,000 career goals. 

Messi, meanwhile, has 'completed football' after lifting the only trophy missing from his cabinet in 2022: the World Cup. After leaving Barcelona in 2021, he spent two middling seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, before heading to the MLS with David Beckham's Inter Miami. 

Bernardeschi explains the difference between Messi and Ronaldo

Speaking to , Bernardeschi said: "They're two different worlds. Like Cristiano, Messi is something you struggle to understand as a player. But they're opposites: Messi catches your eye, he does things that seem unreal, he has an aura that doesn't belong in this world. Cristiano has another characteristic: he revolutionized football and sport in general. Messi, like [Diego] Maradona, seems divine. If athletes today pay attention to every detail of their preparation, it's thanks to Cristiano."

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Getty Images SportWhen do Ronaldo and Messi play next?

Ronaldo could feature in the AFC Champions League 2 on Wednesday evening against Iraqi side Al-Zawraa, while Messi can next be seen in action against Chicago in the early hours of Wednesday.

Chelsea have now joined the race for a second Barcelona player who has “infinite” talent, alongside Fermin Lopez, it has been revealed.

Blues enter race for another Barcelona player

Right the way through the summer transfer window, the Blues were credited with an interest in Lopez, with Fabrizio Romano revealing an official proposal was even submitted at the end of August.

However, the west Londoners were unable to get a deal done, in part because the attacking midfielder had little interest in leaving his boyhood club, saying: “My priority has always been Barcelona. This club is my dream since I was a kid.

“It is always a compliment that there is interest from other clubs, but the truth is that I always wanted to stay and succeed at Barça”.

It remains to be seen whether Enzo Maresca’s side make another approach for the 22-year-old in the future, but in the meantime they have been credited with an interest in a different Barcelona player…

Indeed, according to a report from Spain, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Dro Fernandez, who has become one of the most watched players in Europe, while also regarded as one of the most exciting youngsters in Spain.

Chelsea willing to pay nearly £87m to sign "unbelievable" attacker in 2026

The Blues are prepared to spend big to ensure they win the race for a highly sought-after attacker.

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Manchester City are also in the race for the 17-year-old, so there could be competition for his signature, although Barça are reluctant to sanction a departure.

Fernandez would initially be brought into the reserve side, given that he is yet to make a senior appearance for Barcelona, but there would be a clear pathway to the first team.

Fernandez could be future star for Chelsea

Former coach Javi Roxo clearly believes the teenager is destined for future success, saying: “Dro was always very special, he has a gift for touching the ball and has always been very creative.

“Dro is capable of everything and if Flick puts him on the wing he can also do well, it won’t be Raphinha but he can look like the Iniesta who played on the left. If he relieves himself of pressure and plays freely, he is capable of anything, his talent is infinite.”

The young Spaniard is yet to be called up to the Barcelona first team, but he has started to catch the eye at youth level, scoring twice in the UEFA Youth League last season, while also bagging two goals in six appearances for Spain U17s.

As such, Fernandez is clearly capable of becoming a future star for Chelsea, but it may be difficult to lure him away from Barcelona, who will surely be reluctant to sell one of their most exciting young talents.

Memphis Depay could remain at Corinthians beyond 2026 despite a dispute over unpaid bonuses. The 31-year-old Dutch attacker has been key for the Sao Paulo giants since arriving from Atletico Madrid and Corinthians are reportedly keen to extend his contract once their current financial obligations are settled.

Corinthians weighing Depay contract extension amid bonus disputes

According to , Corinthians are considering a contract extension for Depay, who is currently tied to the Brazilian club until mid-2026. The Netherlands star has become a key figure for the side, scoring seven goals in 11 games at the end of last season and helping them secure the Paulista title. However, financial issues at the club have complicated matters, with unpaid bonuses and signing fee instalments still outstanding.

Chief Financial Officer Emerson Piovesan admitted the club’s difficulties while speaking to , describing it as “the biggest challenge of my life.” Corinthians have stated that fulfilling the agreements in the current contract is their top priority before discussing any extension. Once these obligations are resolved, the club is likely to offer Depay a renewal to maintain continuity and retain one of their most influential players.

AdvertisementAFPEx-Barca & Man Utd forward still breaking records for Netherlands

Depay’s impact extends beyond Brazil, as he continues to shine for the Netherlands. After surpassing Robin van Persie as the Dutch national team’s all-time top scorer last month, he followed it up by overtaking Wesley Sneijder as the record assist holder when he set up two goals in the 4-0 win against Finland on Sunday. His international tally now stands at 54 goals and 36 assists, cementing his legacy as a record-breaking Oranje forward.

Having previously played for Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Depay has established himself as a global star. Despite challenges in Europe, he has embraced Brazilian football and cultivated a cult following at Corinthians. His unique persona, as a footballer, rapper and philanthropist, has also enhanced his status in Sao Paulo.

Standoff over unpaid bonuses and contract complications

The contract saga has been complicated by ongoing disputes over unpaid bonuses. Reports suggest Depay is owed €1.7 million in performance-related bonuses, alongside a €1m instalment of his signing bonus, which was due in mid-September 2025. These financial disagreements sparked rumours that the striker could terminate his contract early, with Turkish side Besiktas briefly linked to a potential move.

Despite these tensions, no transfer materialised before the deadline, and Corinthians remain keen to resolve matters amicably. The club’s cautious approach reflects their financial constraints while ensuring they retain their star forward, whose performances have been instrumental in revitalising their attack.

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AFPUp next for Depay and Corinthians

Once current payments are settled, Corinthians are expected to open discussions for a new deal with Depay, potentially extending his stay beyond 2026. The Dutch striker’s presence will be crucial as the club navigates the domestic league and prepares for upcoming competitions.

Depay’s international form also positions him for further milestones with Netherlands, making him a key player both for Corinthians and on the global stage. The resolution of his contract issues will determine whether he remains in Sao Paulo long-term or considers a move abroad, ensuring all eyes remain on the striker in the coming months.

Seamer suffered problem in training and will return to South Africa for rehab

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2025South African fast bowler Keith Dudgeon has been ruled out of the remainder of his overseas deal with Kent due to a knee injury.The 29-year-old, initially signed through to the end of May as cover for Australian quick Wes Agar, hit the ground running with a match-winning 7 for 36 in the second innings of Kent’s Division Two County Championship opener against Northamptonshire, which were also career-best figures.However, an injury sustained in training on Thursday ruled Dudgeon out of the fixture against Middlesex at Canterbury. He was replaced in the XI by Pakistan seamer Kashif Ali, signed alongside Dudgeon, who took three wickets in the match as the hosts triumphed by eight wickets.Kent head coach Adam Hollioake feared the worst for Dudgeon, stating on Friday that it was “not going to be a short-term injury”. Those fears were realised following scans and further medical assessments from specialists. The club announced on Monday that the right-armer will return home to undergo his rehabilitation work in South Africa.”Kent Cricket can confirm that following scans and advice from specialists, Keith Dudgeon’s knee injury sustained in training last week has cut short his time as a Kent cricketer this summer,” said a statement on the club website.”Everyone at the club wishes Keith the very best in his recovery, and he will always be welcome back at Kent Cricket. Once a Spitfire, always a Spitfire.”Dudgeon had originally intended on playing at Kent in 2024, eventually earning a deal this summer off the back of a recommendation from Joe Root – his Paarl Royals team-mate during this season’s SA20 – which was subsequently passed onto the club via Zak Crawley.”I’m absolutely gutted for my time at Kent to come to a close so quickly,” Dudgeon said in a statement. “I’ve loved everyone at the club from the playing staff, coaching staff all the way to the members and supporters.”I really hope to stay strong and fit as soon as possible, and when that time comes, hopefully I get the opportunity to represent this great club again in the future.”It is not clear if Kent will look to recruit an extra bowler as a replacement. Kashif’s deal, like Dudgeon’s, is set to run until the end of next month, before Agar returns for his third season at Canterbury, starting with the Vitality Blast and then into first-class cricket through to the end of July.

JJ Watt has added La Liga side Espanyol to his European football club portfolio after Velocity Sport Limited's takeover was completed on Thursday. Barcelona's rivals become the second club under VSL's ownership after Premier League side Burnley, where Watt is a minority investor. The former NFL star is also involved in the acquisition and quickly posted his first message on X after the deal was finalised.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'We are the Pericos'

  Watt wasted no time sending out a message once VSL's takeover of Espanyol was finalised. The La Liga side first confirmed in July that an agreement was in place for VSL, fronted by American businessman Alan Pace, to replace Chinese company Rastar Group as the club's majority shareholder.

  The 36-year-old, who was in attendance for Espanyol's opening weekend win over Atletico Madrid back in August, posted on his official X account: "Oficialment oficial. Som els Pericos. Posem fil a l’agulla!" which translates from Catalan to English as: "Officially official. We are the Pericos. Let’s get to work!"

  Watt also posted the same message in Spanish as he looks to quickly endear himself to fans of the Liga outfit.

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• 'Football has always belonged to its people'

  Pace, meanwhile, insists that both Espanyol and Burnley will remain separate entities despite operating under the same ownership. "Football has always belonged to its people. Our role is not to replace legacy, but to build upon it, with care, with clarity and with purpose," Pace is quoted as saying by ESPN.

  "This is not about ownership; it's about stewardship. Burnley will remain Burnley. Espanyol will remain Espanyol. Each club will retain its own leadership, identity, independence and decision-making, run by its own people, for its own supporters.

  "We are here to do the work. Honestly, carefully, and openly. To respect the past, support the present, and shape a future worthy of both clubs' proud traditions. This is how football evolves, with its people, for its people and always for the beautiful game."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Pace praise for former Espanyol owners

  Pace also praised former owners Rastar Group and their chairman Chen Yansheng following finalisation of the takeover, adding: "I would also like to express my gratitude to Chen Yansheng and the Rastar Group for their stewardship of RCD Espanyol.

  "Their hard work and commitment have laid a strong foundation, and we look forward to working alongside them as we aim to take the club to the next level."

  Under the Rastar Group's nine-year stewardship, Espanyol have been relegated twice, but returned to La Liga in 2024 and having beaten the drop last season, they have made a commendable start to the 2025/26 campaign. Indeed, they currently sit ninth having picked up 12 points from the opening eight games ahead of their trip to Real Oviedo next week.

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• Burnley latest Premier League to enter multi-club format

  VSL's purchase of Espanyol means Burnley are the latest Premier League side to enter into multi-club ownership. The City Football Group have 13 clubs worldwide, with Manchester City undoubtedly their biggest, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are others whose owners have sporting interests elsewhere.

  This proved a problem for Palace earlier this year after they were demoted to the UEFA Conference League due to their links with French side Lyon, who will compete in the Europa League. Palace's place in Europe's second club competition was subsequently handed to Nottingham Forest, who have picked up one point from their opening two Europa League fixtures.

  Burnley, meanwhile, have made a stuttering start upon their return to the Premier League and are currently 18th in the division having failed to win their last five matches, losing four times and drawing with Forest in that run. The Clarets welcome fellow promoted side Leeds to Turf Moor in their first game after the international break next weekend, and the game already feels like it is a must-win for both sides; Leeds have enjoyed a stronger start and sit 15th, with two wins, two draws, and three defeats from their first five games. They were beaten by Tottenham before the break. 

أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لفريق نادي بيراميدز، تشكيل مباراة التأمين الإثيوبي، في إطار بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتقام المباراة بين بيراميدز ومنافسه التأمين الإثيوبي، مساء اليوم الأحد، على استاد الدفاع الجوي، في إطار ذهاب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ونجح بيراميدز في التتويج مؤخرًا بلقب كأس السوبر الإفريقي لأول مرة في تاريخه، على حساب نهضة بركان المغربي، بهدف نظيف أحرزه المهاجم الكونغولي فيستون مايلي.

طالع | القناة الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز والتأمين الإثيوبي اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ويسعى بيراميدز لمواصلة انطلاقته القوية وتحقيق بداية مثالية في مشواره الإفريقي، والتأهل إلى دور المجموعات من دوري أبطال إفريقيا. تشكيل بيراميدز أمام التأمين الإثيوبي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: محمود مرعي – أحمد سامي – محمد الشيبي – محمد حمدي.

خط الوسط: مصطفى فتحي – مهند لاشين – وليد الكرتي – إيفرتون داسيلفا – بلاتي توريه.

خط الهجوم: فيستون ماييلي. بدلاء بيراميدز أمام التأمين الإثيوبي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

محمود جاد – علي جبر – كريم حافظ – أحمد توفيق – محمود دونجا – أحمد عاطف قطة – محمود زلاكة – مصطفى زيكو – مروان حمدي.

Liam Dawson adds unbeaten fifty to put home side in front at halfway stage

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-Apr-2025

Nick Gubbins continued where he left off at the Kia Oval as his unbeaten 58 put Hampshire in the box seat of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Somerset.Top-order batter Gubbins struck a century against Surrey in the previous round to save a draw, having scored 43 in the first innings. He played the anchor in stands of 80 and an unbeaten 76 with Tom Prest (42) and Liam Dawson (50 not out) as Hampshire wiped out Somerset’s 184 to take their lead to 10 by close.Brad Wheal and James Fuller had ended up with four wickets each, but Migael Pretorius bolstered Somerset’s meagre score with 47 not out in a 48-run partnership for the 10th wicket.After a half-hour delay to the start of play, Hampshire needed just 10 deliveries to continue their day one dominance, as Craig Overton was powerless to avoid edging a Wheal beauty behind.Fuller entered soon after to take a wicket in each of his first two overs of the day, with Tom Abell and Jack Leach leg before. They helped Fuller reach eventual figures of 4 for 42 in his first appearance of the season.With Somerset 136 for 9 an hour before lunch, Hampshire would have been expecting to be batting before the interval, but Pretorius and Alfie Ogborne hung around and added some much-needed runs.Pretorius was the natural attacker, while Ogborne got his head down and defended. They were abetted by defensive fields and lax fielding in their 48-run salvo off 84 balls in exactly 60 minutes. Ogborne was eventually bowled by Wheal, to give the Scotland international his third four-wicket haul in as many matches.With the sun and blue skies now making conditions perfect for batting, the hosts’ opening batters Mark Stoneman and Fletcha Middleton got through 59 balls with ease, but both fell in quick succession.Ogborne, who is playing his third first-class match for Somerset with all three coming against Hampshire, had shown control before a peach of a delivery was edged behind by Middleton. Four balls later and Middleton was joined back in the dressing room by Stoneman as Pretorius found a huge gap between bat and pad to send the middle stump tumbling.South African Pretorious should have then been on a hat-trick as his pinned Prest with the next delivery, but he turned around to see umpire David Milne’s arm raised for a no-ball.Prest made hay with Gubbins in continuing to reel in Somerset’s total as they negotiated accurate but flat bowling. Prest picked off the poorer balls with seven boundaries, while Gubbins put his wicket at a huge premium with his defensive strokes impressed onto the eyelids of every spectator at Utilita Bowl.Their partnership was broken when Pretorius had his lbw, but Dawson entered to take his place.Dawson had moments of aggression – best shown with four boundaries, including a pinged pulled six in back-to-back Ogborne overs – but largely battened down the hatches with Gubbins.Gubbins reached his half-century in 111 balls, Dawson in 92 balls as Hampshire took the lead. Bad light ended proceedings seven overs early, with Hampshire having a platform to amass a big first-innings lead on day three.

The international break will have come at a welcome time for Rangers and under-fire boss, Russell Martin, with the former Scotland defender having endured a miserable start to life at Ibrox.

Four points from four in the Premiership, alongside a Champions League qualifying embarrassment, has already plunged the ex-Southampton boss into crisis. Can he turn it around?

There’s no hiding from what was a miserable August, although nothing has been decided yet. The season is only in its infancy.

With 14 new signings needing to properly bed in to life in Glasgow, it may still be too soon to properly judge Martin’s tenure, albeit with the pressure on considering the nature of their summer outlay.

Roughly £30m was reportedly spent by the Gers during the most recent window, with the most notable investment having been the £8m that was splashed out on goal-shy Everton youngster, Youssef Chermiti.

That eye-watering fee – which could rise to £10m with add-ons – will bring with it a lefty weight of expectation. Is the Portuguese striker worth the risk?

Youssef Chermiti's record pre-Rangers

Three goals in 22 games for Sporting Lisbon. No goals in 24 senior outings for the Toffees. A record that points to Rangers – and former Everton chief Kevin Thelwell – gambling on potential rather than proven quality.

It is a “heck of a gamble” at that, in the words of club legend Ally McCoist, with there little evidence to suggest that Chermiti will prove to be a success in Scottish football, amid his recent woes on Merseyside.

Signed on a £15m deal by the Premier League side back in the summer of 2023, the 21-year-old has been reduced to bit-part status since then, albeit with then-boss Sean Dyche admitting in 2024 that he was recruited as a “development player” who would have fared better with a loan move.

Rather than a temporary exit, Chermiti has now secured a permanent switch to Scotland, thus marking the club’s most expensive outlay since the £12m capture of Tore Andre Flo back in 2000.

The merits of such a deal can be debated long into the night, with the Portugal youth international – who has scored seven times in 75 recorded games at academy and senior level, as per Transfermarkt – in need of a positive start to try and win over an expectant fanbase.

That said, the Light Blues’ extensive recruitment can help ease the burden on the marquee new addition, with Bojan Miovski likely to be the main man in attack for Martin and co instead.

Bojan Miovski's market value

If Chermiti is the long-term expensive gamble, then Miovski appears to be the perfect alternative, providing an experienced, ‘proven’ option who has already delivered the goods in the Premiership.

Market Movers

Described as a player who “does everything” during his time at Aberdeen by Billy Dodds, due to his impressive scoring rate and link-up play, the Macedonian marksman could prove a real coup following his £2.6m switch.

Indeed, while Chermiti is yet to flourish at first-team level, the 26-year-old has more than proven his worth in recent years, having notably scored 44 times in 98 games during his time at Pittodrie.

That impressive haul included a fine record on the big occasion, with Miovski scoring four times from just nine meetings with Rangers in all competitions, alongside netting three times in eight games against Celtic.

While a return of four goals in 23 games for Girona last term is hardly the most eye-catching, the clinical number nine has already been there and done it for the Dons, a fact that pundit Andy Walker believes will make him a “better signing” than his new teammate:

That fact is also reinforced when considering what Miovski’s actual market value is, with the Gers having seemingly secured a bargain when considering their £2.6m investment.

As per the great minds at CIES Football Observatory, the 33-cap international has a peak value of as much as €16m (£14m), eclipsing the figure that was dished out on Chermiti.

While Rangers won’t be looking to cash in on their new addition any time soon, that valuation does point to them striking a significant profit in the years to come.

Better than Chermiti: Rangers must regret selling "rapid" star for just £4m

After signing Youssef Chermiti for an enormous fee of £8m, would Rangers have been better off keeping a “rapid” attacker sold for £4m?

By
Ben Gray

Sep 8, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste sábado (12), no jogo de volta da semifinal do Brasileirão Sub-20, o Flamengo recebe o Santos , às 11h30, no Gávea. O jogo será transmitido ao vivo pelo SporTV.

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O primeiro jogo terminou 2×1 para o Flamengo em São Paulo. Os cariocas precisam apenas do empate para jogar a final contra o vencedor de Corinthians e Palmeiras. O Verdão venceu o primeiro jogo por 5×1 e já está com um pé na final.

FLAMENGO X SANTOS

Data/Horário: Sábado, 12/8, às 11h30 (Brasília)
Local: Estádio José Bastos Padilha, Gávea (RJ)
Arbitragem: sem escalção até o momento
Onde assistir: SporTV

Despite losing the last time they batted first, Gujarat Titans (GT) stuck with their tried and tested method of starting calmly, assessing the conditions and minimising risk. The result this time was a total of 198 for 3 on a tricky surface, a total they defended with ease against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.Led by Shubman Gill’s 90 off 55, the GT top three again did the bulk of the scoring, scoring 183 runs among them, after the second-slowest powerplay of this IPL for a side not losing a wicket. On a pitch that had just enough to discourage fluent stroke-play, Gill and B Sai Sudharsan relied on rotation of strike and the occasional onslaught. They added 114 for the first wicket before Jos Buttler provided the finishing touches with 41 off 23.There were still doubts if GT had left a few runs out in the middle, but their relentless bowling extracted enough from the pitch to vindicate the batting approach and set up a big win by 39 runs.

Assessing the pitch

In their young existence, GT have always played like peak Chennai Super Kings (CSK), trusting their batters to make decisions in the middle and investing in bowlers who reduce the need to take high risks when they are batting. They are the second-slowest team in the powerplay this IPL, but also the quickest overall. Part of it is their top order taking its time and then cashing in later. On the night, it meant no boundary in the first 11 balls, only one aerial shot in the powerplay and just 45 runs when the field was up.

Gill, Sai Sudharsan take turns at attacking

He didn’t do much when the field was up, but once he felt he was in, Gill took on the deep fielders immediately after the powerplay. He started with 6 off 11, then used the pace of Harshit Rana to reach 22 off 19 before hitting Moeen Ali for six, four and four in consecutive balls. Again, though, he chose a touch of caution when facing Sunil Narine.1:43

Finch: Venkatesh Iyer’s lack of intent was mesmerising

Sai Sudharsan took the load off him by attacking fellow Tamil Nadu player Varun Chakravarthy and then Harshit, who was getting purchase from the pitch with his offcutters. He even outpaced Gill to the fifty: in 33 balls to Gill’s 34. The orange cap followed soon after.

Buttler, Gill carry on hitting

Sai Sudharsan’s wicket to Andre Russell’s extra bounce would have given KKR hope, but Buttler crushed their joy by hitting three consecutive fours in the same over. Gill now took on the responsibility of attacking the two main spinners, taking 12 and 11 in the 16th and 17th overs. It was a big win for GT that the spinners bowled 11 overs for no wicket and 96 runs without frenetic cricket.Gill missed out on the century as he hit a full toss straight to deep midwicket, but Buttler and Shahrukh Khan made it 85 off the last eight overs.

KKR batting continues to misfire

KKR rang in the changes in this match hoping for better returns, but they also went in confident chasing anything under 210. This is where the GT way comes in. They might sometimes fall ten or so short of a perfect chase, but they hardly ever were 50 short because they went too hard. Lucknow Super Giants might have put in a perfect chase last game, KKR were far from perfect.Mohammed Siraj started with an unplayable ball to get Rahmanullah Gurbaz: an outswinger that pitched and nipped in to give him no chance. Ajinkya Rahane was the only KKR batter who looked fluent, but Narine and Venkatesh Iyer got stuck at the other end. Narine still managed 17 off 13, but Venkatesh’s 14 off 19 left them needing nothing short of a Russell special.Rahane scored a fifty off 36 balls but a clever Washington Sundar wide ball had him stumped immediately after. Russell started with a four and a six off Washington, but canny spin bowling from Sai Kishore tied him down before Rashid Khan capped off his return to good results with the wicket of Russell. The ask was already in the realms of the impossible by then.Towards the end, Prasidh Krishna extended his lead at the top of the purple cap charts with figures of 4-0-25-2 taking him to 16 wickets.