Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in London Twenty-five days of poetic chaos, five Tests of heart-stopping drama, and a final day that will live long in the memory. At The Oval, India pulled off one of the most dramatic heists in recent Test history, sharing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after ending the series 2-2, when defeat seemed written in stone. The morning began with England needing just 35 runs and two good batters at the crease. But as has so often been the case, India found hope in Mohammed Siraj. With fire in his eyes and belief on his lips, literally — it’s the…

By Trisha Ghosal in London From the brink of series glory to the sting of a gut-wrenching defeat, England’s final act at The Oval was a microcosm of their bold, unpredictable brand of cricket. After setting the tone with a flurry of runs in the opening hour, and riding a Harry Brook hurricane to the cusp of history, England watched it all unravel in under five overs on the final morning. Having dominated large swathes of the match, England were favourites right until Mohammed Siraj cracked open their chase with a spell for the ages. The collapse, sudden, brutal and…

Trisha Ghosal in London There is justice in the universe. If you ever doubt it, Mohammed Siraj will make you believe. Day 5. Lord’s. Third Test. Last session. India needed just 22 runs to script a famous win. Siraj, defending with a straight bat, held the pose like a proper batter. But the ball trickled back, kissed the stumps. Agony. He sank to the ground, gutted. England went 2-1 up. That image of Siraj — helpless, heartbroken — etched itself into the memory of Indian fans. And yet, with Siraj, you can never question his commitment. His heart beats for…

Trisha Ghosal in London The clock ticks towards what could be one of those mornings that lives forever. In just a few hours, the final day of this unforgettable Test will resume. England need 35 runs to win. They have four wickets in hand. The new ball looms in 3.4 overs. And Jamie Smith, just 25, will be at the non-striker’s end, bat in hand, on the brink of something potentially historic. Smith’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of extraordinary. Not long ago, he etched his name into the record books by becoming the youngest English wicketkeeper…

Trisha Ghosal in London Wearing Graham Thorpe’s trademark headband, Joe Root dedicated his century to his friend and mentor. With a century to his name and his side on the cusp of a dramatic win, Root came to the press conference. His partnership with Harry Brook was the moment England turned the tide, counter-punching India into submission in a Bazball-fuelled blitz. But as conditions changed and the ball began to jag around, India stormed back only for rain and bad light to halt what had become a breathless finish. Root, who paid a deeply personal tribute to his late mentor…

By Trisha Ghosal in London On a day when Harry Brook and Joe Root threatened to take the game away from India in one devastating session and a half, the Indian bowlers clawed their way back as the clouds gathered and the ball finally started to talk. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel walked into the press conference with mixed emotions — pleased with the way the seamers responded under overcast skies, but well aware that England are just 35 runs away from sealing the Test. With the match finely poised and a four-wicket shootout likely to decide it all tomorrow…

Trisha Ghosal in London When Joe Root and Harry Brook walked out after lunch at 164 for 3, needing 210 runs to script history, the task ahead looked mountainous. England have always been strong in chases, but 374 on this surface seemed a different kind of challenge altogether. Brook made his intentions clear in the very first over after lunch. He was on the charge. On 19, he offered India a chance, Mohammed Siraj misjudged his position at the boundary and it was a six. A few balls after lunch, Brook slashed hard at a short, wide delivery. With only…

Trisha Ghosal in London The scoreboard rarely tells the full story. It highlights centuries and five-fors, towering sixes and fiery spells. But amid the fire and flair, it sometimes forgets the backbone, the one who holds things together when it threatens to fall apart. In the India–England Test series of 2025, Ravindra Jadeja has been that backbone. At No.6 or lower, in foreign conditions, Jadeja has quietly mounted a historic campaign; 516 runs, six scores above 50, and an unbeaten century. It’s not just a career-best series; it’s one for the Test match annals. Only Sir Garfield Sobers and Wasim…

Trisha Ghosal in London Despite a punishing day in the field, England pacer Josh Tongue fronted up to the media after delivering one of the grittiest spells of the day. With the ball not doing as much and the pitch easing out, Tongue reflected on the team’s effort, the toll of back-to-back spells, and the challenge of chasing 374 with the series on the line. A Three-Man Attack and Tongue in Cheek England are down to three frontline bowlers, but Tongue insisted the team were still up for the fight, even if it meant getting desperate. “Not sure anyone’s hiding…

Trisha Ghosal in London On a day when India dominated with the bat and tightened their grip on the Test, centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal addressed the media after his elegant sixth Test hundred—his fourth against England. Jaiswal spoke about adapting to the pitch, building momentum after a flashy start, and how the dressing room now genuinely believes they can level the series with two days to go. “Playing with Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai has helped me grow” Jaiswal reflected on the role senior players have played in shaping his game. “I’ve learned so much playing alongside Rohit Bhai and Virat…