Author: Trisha Ghosal

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…

Trisha Ghosal in Leeds Headingley is fast becoming England’s spiritual home for fourth-innings drama, and today, they added another classic to that growing list. Chasing 371, England stormed home in just 82 overs, riding on Ben Duckett’s stunning 149 and finishing with a Jamie Smith six to go 1-0 up in the five-match series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. It was a bruising start to a new era for India under Shubman Gill, who notched a fine first-innings hundred, but will now be left reflecting on a heavy loss in his debut Test as captain. Despite scoring five centuries to England’s…

With 90 overs to play, 350 runs to get, and 10 wickets in hand, the first Test between India and England is set for a final-day finish that could swing either way. The skies are grey, the forecast winks at rain, but nothing can dampen the anticipation here. Back on Day 2, during a morning cab ride to the ground, the driver clocked the accreditation hanging from my neck and smiled knowingly. “Journalist, yeah? Big game today. But Stokes got it right,” he said, nodding with the quiet confidence only a local fan could carry. “We chase superbly in the…