Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in Birmingham India’s resounding 97-run victory over England in the first T20I at Trent Bridge wasn’t just about Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking century; it was a stark, almost prophetic, demonstration of the potent threat posed by their spinners. England’s batting line-up, chasing a mammoth 211, crumbled, with eight of their ten wickets falling to India’s spin quartet. This performance, spearheaded by debutant Shree Charani’s sensational 4/12, serves as a significant red flag for England—especially with the ODI World Cup scheduled to be held on Indian soil in just over 60 days. Shree, the young left-arm spinner, was a revelation.…

Trisha Ghosal in Nottingham The dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup 2026 will commence this evening. India’s women’s team will take on hosts England in a five-match T20I series. India haven’t played a T20I series since December last year. England, on the other hand, are in a rebuilding phase, with Charlotte Edwards and Nat Sciver-Brunt having taken the reins after a shambolic 16-0 loss in the Ashes. This T20I series will be important for both teams—even in an ODI World Cup year. Players to Watch Out For Shafali Verma Shafali Verma doesn’t carry fond memories of…

By Trisha Ghosal in Birmingham After the heartbreak of Headingley and India’s 0-1 start to the Test series, the caravan has moved. So have we. From the steep stands of Leeds to the old soul of Birmingham. The second Test is around the corner, but today, before Edgbaston and toss sheets and press passes, something else demanded attention—something slower, softer, more profound. Our first shoots from Birmingham were last evening—right at the intersection of Victoria Square and Chamberlain Square. It’s an area where history lingers like mist. Queen Victoria stands immortalised in bronze, her gaze frozen in imperial confidence. Not…

By Trisha Ghosal in Nottingham England has always held a strange magic for me — not because of the history or the architecture, but because this is where I first heard a woman cricketer had done something incredible. I was 12 years old. It was 16th August 2002, a regular Friday, the day after India’s 55th Independence Day. I’d just finished my homework when I heard a brief radio announcement: “Mithali Raj scores a record-breaking double century.” Just one line. No headlines. No visuals. But it stuck. The next morning, I read about it in an Anand Vasu article. Back…

By Trisha Ghosal in Leeds There’s something about conversations in cabs. Especially when the driver turns around, eyes twinkling, and asks, “Are you a journalist?” That’s how my Leeds story began, during the India-England Test. I was in the UK covering the Indian men’s, women’s and mixed disability tours, and the first men’s Test in Leeds brought me to this city of rich rivalries, grumbling skies and generous hearts. Yakob was the first cabbie I met. He saw my accreditation and grinned, “So you’re here for the match?” Before I could respond, he fired his first volley: “Why did you…

By Trisha Ghosal in Leeds As a sports journalist, covering cricket across continents often means hopping from stadiums to stories, sometimes in places you least expect. I came to the UK to cover the Indian men’s, women’s, and mixed disability teams—a dream assignment. And with the men’s Test match being played at Headingley, I was stationed in Leeds. Like most sports lovers, I had always heard about Elland Road—the iconic home of Leeds United Football Club. So, on a lighter workday, camera in hand and curiosity in heart, I decided to take a walk around the legendary ground. The square…

Trisha Ghosal in England Just a day after their narrow defeat in the 50-over warm-up, India Women endured another close loss in Beckenham, falling seven runs short in a high-octane T20 against the ECB Women Select XI. Chasing 195, they were in contention for most of the innings, but once again lost momentum at the finish despite Richa Ghosh’s spirited effort. Flying Start for ECB Select XI Opting to bat first, ECB’s openers came out all guns blazing. Bryony Smith was the aggressor, smashing a 33-ball 62 that featured crisp timing and fearless hitting. She and Maia Bouchier added 77…

-Trisha Ghosal in Leeds There it was again—Headingley producing drama, grit, and a blockbuster ending. India piled on five centuries and amassed over 800 runs in the match, but England stepped in when it mattered. From Duckett’s lightning start to Stokes’ toss call and the death-overs hunting of the Indian tail, the pivotal moments swung in England’s favour—and that meant victory. Duckett & Crawley’s Opening Blitz In the face of a daunting 371-run chase, England went on the front foot, roaring to a 100-plus stand with breathtaking intent. Ben Duckett’s 149 was a display of fearless Bazball aggression. Zak Crawley’s…

Trisha Ghosal in Leeds A 91-ball century from Harleen Deol lit up India Women’s first warm-up fixture on their England tour, but it wasn’t enough to overhaul the ECB Women Select XI’s daunting 353 for 5. Despite several promising knocks in the chase, India finished on 335 for 9, losing by 18 runs in a high-scoring encounter that offered a good early test for the tourists. ECB Openers Dominate Early Opting to bowl, India were on the back foot from the start as Emma Lamb and Maia Bouchier stitched together a 196-run opening stand. Both looked in supreme touch, with…

Trisha Ghosal in Leeds Headingley continues to be England’s chosen theatre for fourth-innings drama, and Ben Stokes’ men delivered another blockbuster to kickstart the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Chasing 371, England made it look routine — Ben Duckett’s dazzling 149, Jamie Smith’s cool finish, and the collective Bazball spirit sealing the win in just 82 overs. It’s England’s sixth straight Test win at this venue, all after bowling first. For India, a nightmare start to the Shubman Gill era — five centuries, six dropped catches, two collapses. England won the moments. And Ben Stokes, speaking at the post-match press conference, was calm…