Author: Gargi Raut

Gargi Raut in Edgbaston Rishabh Pant and Test cricket is a match made in heaven. His batting style is one that leaves the audience wondering what format of the game they’re watching. Yesterday’s inning was no respite for the Indian fans either. While Pant scored back-to-back centuries in the Test match in Leeds, his innings left fans wanting more. In his twin tons at the Headingley, Pant showed incredible restraint, using his defence and constantly telling himself “Play with a straight bat”, as heard on the stump mic. While he tried a few audacious shots, he would immediately pull back…

Gargi Raut in Edgbaston The second Test between India and England is only a few hours away and the Indian fans are still unsure of the playing XI that will step out on the field at Edgbaston. Throughout the buildup to the all-important second Test, the practice sessions and press conferences left us with more questions than answers. One of the most pivotal changes that had a cascading effect on the team selection was Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management. And from the two practice sessions it became evident that Bumrah is unlikely to take part in the second Test. Bumrah likely…

Gargi Raut at Edgbaston The five-match India versus England Test series started off on an unfortunate note for the Indian team. Even after having five centurions, the hosts powered through to win the Test in the last session of Day 5. One of the reasons for India’s loss in the first Test match, including indisciplined bowling and the inability to break crucial partnerships, was the volume of dropped catches. One of the repeat offenders was Yashasvi Jaiswal who dropped a total of 3 catches in the five days of action. After the end of the first Test match it was…

The Indian Premier League has evolved from a concept to one of India’s biggest sporting powers. Lalit Modi, the former IPL commissioner, built the league from the ground up and controversies were his biggest tool in getting people to hype up the league without having to spend a penny. “You can’t buy breaking news,” Lalit chuckled. The idea was to get the nation talking about the league and as long as the media was writing about the IPL, good or bad, the job was getting done. As 8 sports journalists sat in the terrace of Modi’s 3 storey mansion…

In a recent development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a plethora of significant changes in the playing conditions that will affect Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Some of the rules are already in effect and the rest will be introduced in July 2025. The new rules cover everything from the pace of the match to the use of equipment, to even concussion protocols and fielding regulations. The new changes will make a substantial impact in an already rapidly evolving game. One change that will most have the biggest impact on the game will be the introduction of the stop clock…

Gargi Raut at the Headingley Cricket Ground The final ball has been bowled, centuries scored and catches dropped. The first Test match between India and England is done and dusted, and while many of us try to wrap our heads around the absolute drama that unfolded in the five days, there are still multiple experiences to look back on and revel in. From the warm ‘Yorkshire Tea Cake’ welcome in the press box to getting a chance to explore the pitch up close once the match was over, there were so many experiences that will be cherished forever by…

Gargi Raut in Leeds We are witnessing one of the biggest, most important transitions in the history of Indian Test cricket. With Shubman Gill at the helm, leading a fairly inexperienced side, battling it out in English conditions. India pushed the home team till the final session and while many will look back on the match as an aberration—considering the sheer amount of dropped catches, misfields and wayward bowling, there are still some positives to look back on. But in hindsight, did India play their best XI? Looking at Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling and the turn he was extracting from the…

Gargi Raut in Leeds Rishabh Pant fought all odds to be where he is today. While we enjoy his theatrics and cartwheel celebrations, only a few understand the extent of the injuries that he sustained in the car accident that left him out of cricket for 15 months. The India vice-captain has been impressive with the bat, scoring two centuries in the same match, in challenging English conditions—a feat no Indian wicket keeper had ever achieved. From the hospital bed to a twin-centurion in England, Pant has walked a long path and Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, one of the India’s best…

Gargi Raut at Headingley Rishabh Pant walked in at the start of Day 4 with the weight of the world on his shoulders. The captain, Shubman Gill, had trudged back to the pavilion after playing on to a Brydon Carse delivery under grey skies and piercing winds. Pant knew that he had to take responsibility for steering the ship. While KL Rahul stood firm at one end and India had three more batters to fall back on, the job was far from over. In tricky English conditions, with Carse, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes running in with the new ball,…

Gargi Raut in Leeds KL Rahul, India’s senior opener, missed out on a well-deserved half-century in the first innings, but not this time around. He has done his job to the T in challenging English conditions. With Yashasvi Jaiswal returning to the pavilion early at the start of India’s second innings, and Sai Sudharsan losing his wicket close to the end of the third day’s play, Rahul had his job cut out for him. When Shubman Gill chopped a brilliant delivery from Brydon Carse back on to his stumps this morning, the pressure only grew. With the Dukes…