Author: Trisha Ghosal

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…

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…