Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in London In a Test that’s simmered rather than sizzled, India and England find themselves level after the first innings, both scoring 387. On Day 3, the rhythm of the match saw a dramatic twist just before lunch with Rishabh Pant’s run-out and KL Rahul’s century being followed by another collapse averted by India’s lower middle order. But while the cricket ebbed and flowed, there were as many questions about stoppages and scheduling as about wickets and runs when England’s Specialist Skills Consultant Tim Southee faced the media. On what he made of Crawley’s time-wasting and India’s response…

Trisha Ghosal in London In a Test match that has simmered rather than exploded, India and England find themselves locked after three days—both sides posting identical first-innings totals of 387. But as fans debated over lost overs and ball changes, the drama of Day 3’s final moments added another layer. KL Rahul, who anchored India’s innings with his second hundred of the series, fronted the media at stumps and addressed everything from his form to Rishabh Pant’s injury, and Shubman Gill’s animated send-off to the day. “Bit of theatrics” – Was the last-over drama avoidable? England chose not to bat…

Trisha Ghosal in London KL Rahul’s bat finally went up after lunch, but the applause began much earlier. At the stroke of lunch the moment England broke through with a stunning run-out, Stokes’ bullet throw catching Rishabh Pant short as he tried to get Rahul back on strike, the crowd at Lord’s rose. The crowd rose again soon after lunch, but this time for a batter who had carried the weight of an innings with monk-like focus. Rahul went to lunch on 98 not out, stranded for the final few deliveries before the break, thanks to Pant’s selfless (and ultimately…

By Trisha Ghosal in London From the press box in Sydney and Melbourne during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to watching him at Lord’s now, KL Rahul has remained the same force of calm resilience. What changed is the way the world views him. Much like a young Rafael Nadal, Rahul doesn’t thrive on flamboyance. He thrives on grind. On discipline. On showing up every single time the team needs someone to hold the fort. In Australia, against hostile bowling and constant uncertainty around his batting position, he was India’s best batter. Yet, the musical chairs never stopped. He was moved…

Trisha Ghosal in London England’s first innings, marked by lower-order resilience, has left them in a commanding position at Lord’s. “It’s a good score,” Joe Root said. On England’s 387: “A Crucial Score on a Tricky Surface” “This pitch plays best on Day 2, and it’s going to get even drier and slower. The runs we’ve got on the board — those two partnerships, especially Brydon’s management of the situation — were absolutely crucial.” Root believes the conditions will only deteriorate. “It’ll go up and down, maybe turn. But there’s always something to work with, especially with the slope.” On…

Trisha Ghosal in London After bowling India back into the contest on a surface that got quicker as the day progressed, Jasprit Bumrah became the latest Indian name etched into the Lord’s Honours Board. No Joy in the Moment: “I Was Just Tired” Yet, there was no celebration after he completed the five-wicket haul. “No sir, there is no headline. I was just tired. That’s the reality,” Bumrah said, when asked why he looked underwhelmed despite a five-wicket haul. “I’m not 21 or 22 anymore to jump around. I was happy to contribute, but it was a long day. I…

Trisha Ghosal in London It was a sea of red at Lord’s — caps, shirts, and heart — as fans stood united on Ruth Strauss Foundation Day. The sun beat down on the hallowed turf, but Jasprit Bumrah brought the real heat. From an overnight 251 for 4 with Joe Root well set on 99 and Ben Stokes looking ominous, England collapsed in a heap — losing three wickets for 20 runs. It was Bumrah, breathing fire from the Nursery End, who triggered the implosion and tilted the Test firmly in India’s favour. This wasn’t swing under cloud cover; this…

Trisha Ghosal in London Even from the hallowed Lord’s press box, a shiver ran down the spine as Jasprit Bumrah, in his much-anticipated return to the Indian playing XI, delivered a ball that defied the very nature of this placid track. Harry Brook, a batsman in ominous form, was simply left bewildered, his stumps rattled by a delivery that seemed to curve late and kiss the top of off stump. It was a peach – a truly unplayable ball on a pitch that offered little encouragement for the pacers – and a stark reminder of why Bumrah is simply indispensable…

Trisha Ghosal in London On a day of attrition at Lord’s where England bucked their own trend by batting slowly, India’s bowlers stuck to their basics. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled a composed and disciplined spell, impressing with control, swing, and temperament. He picked up both the openers in one over. At stumps, he fronted the media, reflecting on the day’s grind, his injury comeback, and the lessons from mentors like Pat Cummins and Morne Morkel. On Mentors, Morkel & Pat Cummins Asked about his development since the Australia tour, Reddy spoke with humility. “After the Australia tour, I realised consistency…

Trisha Ghosal in London A sweltering Day 1 at Lord’s saw England bat at a pedestrian three runs per over — a throwback to pre-Bazball Test cricket. Joe Root’s unbeaten 99 was the anchor as England reached 250/4 after choosing to bat first. Despite early movement, India couldn’t fully capitalise, while England, cautious and calculated, ground their way through. After play, Ollie Pope addressed the press and tackled questions on tempo, tactics, spin, and more. Bazball gone missing? Or just adapting to the conditions? With whispers of “classic cricket” echoing from the comm box to the opposition, Pope acknowledged the…