Author: Trisha Ghosal

By Trisha Ghosal in Manchester India came to Manchester 1-2 down and what transpired over the last five days is nothing short of pure Test match drama. At 0/2 just before lunch yesterday, India had their task cut out. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill did a lot of the hard work and were backed perfectly by the two southpaws — Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar — who didn’t just frustrate England by refusing to lose, but denied the draw too by rightfully completing their centuries. There are plenty of positives, but also some big calls to make. And like clockwork,…

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Day 5 of Manchester Test. Image: Debasis Sen By Trisha Ghosal in Manchester At one point in the opening session, the question was whether India could even make England bat again. By the time the players walked off for tea, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar had not just closed the gap but flipped the narrative — putting India 11 runs ahead with a resolute fifth-wicket partnership that could prove decisive. Jadeja, dropped first ball, continued to make England pay in a way only he can — by mixing stoic defence with elegant aggression. A straight…

By Trisha Ghosal in Manchester Ben Stokes has long moved past the stage where statistics define him. Yes, he’s taken five wickets and scored a hundred in this Test. Yes, the record books will remember him. But what sets him apart is something far less tangible and far more compelling: his intent. His sheer refusal to let a game drift. England in Trouble, Stokes in Motion Yesterday, India were in control. Reduced to 0 for 2 early on, they clawed their way back with a dogged partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Most captains might have taken a backseat,…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester England started Day 4 with the upper hand. Ben Stokes had bulldozed his way to a century — his first in two years — and with India reeling before lunch, a quick collapse felt imminent. But as the second session wore on, the mood shifted. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul’s unbroken stand blunted the new ball, defied England’s plans, and forced the hosts to grind harder than expected. Is Stokes Fit to Bowl on Day 5? “We’re hoping so,” Trescothick said, though he didn’t sound overly confident. “He’s stiff and sore. The workload has been heavy,…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester India began Day 4 looking ragged in the field, with Ben Stokes smashing his way to a century, his first in nearly two years. But by the tea break, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul had completely shifted the mood with a defiant, composed partnership. In the post-day press conference, India’s batting coach Shitanshu Kotak addressed questions on technique, temperament, and selection decisions, while throwing light on the philosophy driving India’s Test batting. Do India have any Test specialists left? Kotak admitted bluntly: “There’s no so-called Test specialist in this batting pack.” But he insisted that the…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester After a morning session that saw India teetering on the edge, the post-lunch passage belonged firmly to the visitors. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul turned a potential collapse into a spirited recovery, guiding India with 85 unbeaten runs in the second session and keeping their hopes flickering in this decisive Test. The first over after lunch set the tone for England’s intent — Jofra Archer went full and straight, beating the bat and drawing two lbw appeals against Gill in the space of four balls. It was clear that England saw Gill’s vulnerability against in-duckers…

By Trisha Ghosal in Manchester In Test cricket, pressure exposes character. And in Manchester, with the series on the line and Jasprit Bumrah struggling, Shubman Gill wasn’t just out-thought — he was outmanoeuvred. There was no spark, no urgency, no coherent plan. Just a young captain watching the game drift from slip while England seized control. India now face a grim scenario. England lead by 186 runs with three wickets still in hand. But the real concern isn’t the scoreboard — it’s Gill’s worrying inaction at a moment that demanded leadership. No Plans, No Pressure, No Response When Zak Crawley…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester After another day of English dominance, this time fuelled by Joe Root’s sublime 150 and a controlled innings from Ollie Pope himself. England look poised to push India out of the series. Pope faced the media with calm clarity, praising teammates, admitting physical tolls, and most crucially, reflecting on how this team is evolving. Bazball 2.0? Pope Says Brains Now Lead the Baz “We’ve had to play with our brains to get to 2-1,” Pope said. “Had we not, we wouldn’t be here.” While Bazball is still in the DNA, Pope pointed out how tactical shifts…

Trisha Ghosal in Manchester India were batted out of the contest and possibly the series after England crossed 500, handing the visitors a bruising day in the field. Bowling coach Morne Morkel faced the media post-play and tried to explain a number of contentious decisions and performances. Why Was Washington Sundar Used So Late? Morkel admitted the call was tactical. “Shubman (Gill) made the call to stick longer with the seamers,” he said. “Washie did a great job when he came on, but we didn’t bowl enough good balls early to justify spin.” Why Is Kuldeep Yadav Still Benched? A…

By Trisha Ghosal in Manchester India finally found some answers with the ball after a wicketless morning, but the narrative of Day 3’s second session was still largely written in England ink and Joe Root’s elegant hand. It took 69 overs for Washington Sundar to be introduced, but after lunch, skipper Shubman Gill began with both his spinners — Washington and Ravindra Jadeja — and was rewarded instantly. Washington didn’t take long to make his mark. The ball that got Ollie Pope was a classic: tossed up, drifting away from the right-hander, curving mid-air, and then skidding off the pitch.…