Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in London On 1st August, The Kia Oval is celebrating “A Day for Thorpey”. It’s former England great Graham Thorpe’s 56th birthday. On 4th August last year, Thorpe took his own life after struggling with anxiety and depression. Thorpe was a brilliant batter, but he was also a deep thinker of the game and a fine coach. One cricketer who gained a lot in his career thanks to Thorpe’s coaching is none other than England great — and safe to say, the No. 1 in the Fab Four — Joe Root. Last year, after Thorpe’s passing, Root dedicated…

Trisha Ghosal in London There are moments in sport when the scoreboard barely tells the story. Karun Nair’s unbeaten 52 at the end of Day 1 at The Oval wasn’t just a number. It was a lifeline. A sigh of relief. A whispered thank you to a game that had made him wait, wander, and almost wither. In December 2022, Karun Nair had put out a tweet asking cricket for another chance. It was simple, heartfelt, and vulnerable, not something athletes often show in public. That plea was answered, albeit in fragments. He got six chances before this game. And…

By Trisha Ghosal in London After watching from the sidelines for four matches, Gus Atkinson finally played his first Test at The Oval and it was a homecoming that mattered. “Obviously disappointing to miss the first four games, but to come back for this last one, especially at my home ground, it’s nice,” he said. “A special occasion, and I’m glad to be part of it.” Two wickets and a run-out, a good day’s work Atkinson impressed with the ball, picking up two wickets and running out Shubman Gill with a direct hit. “Yeah, I felt like I bowled well…

By Trisha Ghosal in London On a stop-start, rain-hit opening day at The Oval, India scrapped their way to 204/6, with Karun Nair standing tall on 52 not out. While conditions were favourable for the bowlers, England struggled to capitalise — bowling too wide, too often. India, meanwhile, had a mixed day. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early, Shubman Gill was run out, and KL Rahul chopped on. None of the top-order batters settled in, but Nair’s grit and some resistance from Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar kept India afloat. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the media after stumps. Is…

Trisha Ghosal in London India’s batting has flourished this series not by chance, but through the strength of four standout performers. KL Rahul is the first of those pillars, the foundation that has helped the innings stand, stretch, and often soar. While he’s an opener by role, his significance has extended far beyond mere starts. Rahul has been the calm bridge between collapse and control, a batter who has carried not just the burden versus the new ball but the hopes of stability. And in a country like England, where openers often perish before they settle, Rahul has rewritten that…

By Trisha Ghosal in London Why were India suddenly denied access to the pitch? On the eve of the final Test, India captain Shubman Gill addressed the controversy involving The Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis, who allegedly stopped the Indian team from inspecting the pitch on Tuesday. Gill didn’t mince his words. “We’ve been here for two months. We’ve looked at wickets after every match. As long as you’re in rubber spikes or barefoot, there’s never been an issue. I don’t know what changed yesterday.” He added: “It’s not normal to be asked to stay three metres away from a…

By Trisha Ghosal in London How bad is the injury and why did you pull out so late? Ben Stokes has confirmed he is out of the series decider at The Oval due to a muscle tear he couldn’t even pronounce, admitting that the risk of worsening the injury was simply too great. “I’ve got a decent tear… We waited as long as we could, but once the scan came in, bowling was ruled out. I gave myself every chance to play as a batter, but after a chat with the medical team, Baz (Brendon McCullum), and some time to…

By Trisha Ghosal in London Cricket and English fans share one of the most romantic relationships in sport. As I sit down to write this piece, it’s my 46th day on this tour of England, and if there’s one thing that has absolutely won my heart, it’s the English fans’ unwavering love for going to the ground and watching the game unfold live. As the caravan moved to London for the final Test, with England leading the series 2-1 after 20 days of fiercely fought red-ball cricket, my colleague and I took refuge in a hotel just a few steps…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester We’ve witnessed a Test series that has been nothing short of a cinematic thriller so far. The momentum has swayed between two evenly matched sides, and the contest has been nothing less than exhilarating. But time and again, when things haven’t gone their way, England have shown a tendency to behave like the proverbial “my bat, my rules” child. There’s always been an air about English cricket, “We invented the game, so we know best.” And whenever something happens against their liking, the reaction is often petty, leaving a bitter aftertaste. The Umpire’s Call Saga at…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester England came to Manchester with the chance to seal the series and for most of the Test, they looked like the only team playing for a result. But what unfolded over five days was a masterclass in resistance from India. Even Ben Stokes, never one to understate his team’s intent, tipped his hat to the visitors: “Duckett and Crawley gave us the ideal platform. We batted with purpose and backed ourselves to win. But credit to India, they fought back hard.” “Pain is just an emotion” Stokes has dragged his team through this series by the…